GREENPEACE'S CAMPAIGN TO PROTECT CLAYOQUOT SOUND WILL CONTINUE--- DESPITE SUPREME COURT RULING

OTTAWA, CANADA Thursday, 22 August, 1996 --

Greenpeace will continue its campaign to protect Clayoquot Sound's pristine valleys, despite a decision issued by the Supreme Court of Canada today which puts the "property rights" of logging companies ahead of individual rights to protest destructive environmental practices.

The decision pertains to an injunction obtained by MacMillan Bloedel four years ago that resulted in jail terms and fines for over 1,000 people who tried to stop MacMillan Bloedel from clearcutting the rainforests of Clayoquot Sound by blocking logging roads.*

"This decision tells Canadians that the interests of large logging companies come first,that the forest belongs to them, not the citizens of British Columbia or the citizens of Canada. This decision stands is sharp contrast to the belief held by most Canadians that the forests do belong to them and that all citizens have the right and responsibility to protest destructive forest practices," said Greenpeace Canada campaign director Steve Shallhorn who was at the court when the decision was handed down.

Despite the Supreme Court ruling Greenpeace intends to continue its campaign to protect Clayoquot Sound and the rest of British Columbia's temperate rainforest, the largest example of a fragile ecosystem that has been wiped out in many other parts of the world.

"Greenpeace's commitment to protect the Clayoquot's rainforest remains as strong as ever, " said Forest Campaigner Karen Mahon, Greenpeace Canada forests campaigner. "We will fight in the forests, we will fight in the marketplace, we will fight in the boardroom but we will not stand by and let MacMillan Bloedel destroy the last of the temperate rainforests."

It has been three years since the summer of 1993, when over 10,000 people came to Clayoquot Sound to protest the destructive logging of the old-growth temperate rainforests. Since then initiatives have been adopted, such as recommendations made by a blue-ribbon Scientific Panel. Although the rate of cut has slowed down, clearcutting continues and MacMillan Bloedel's most recent plans indicate that they plan on logging the few remaining intact valleys and islands within the next 5 years.

Earlier this summer, protests resumed in Clayoquot Sound, when MacMillan Bloedel began clearcutting in the pristine valley of the Bulson. The Bulson is one of 11 pristine areas that remain on Vancouver Island, of an original 170.: six of these are in Clayoquot Sound and continue to be threatened by MacMillan Bloedel, despite overwhelming international support for their protection.

"Worldwide, people are becoming increasingly aware Canada's temperate rainforest are endangered. If the current rate of logging continues virtually all the remaining valleys will be roaded or logged within the next 10 years," said Tamara Stark of Greenpeace Canada. "Greenpeace will continue to campaign nationally and internationally to ensure that Clayoquot Sound and the remaining intact valleys along the coast of British Columbia are protected."

FOR MORE INFORMATION PLASE CONTACT::

Steve Shallhorn by cell phone in Ottawa, 416-451-9354

Tamara Stark or Karen Mahon in Vancouver 604-253-7701

NOTE TO EDITORS: The injunction named specific individuals, but also applied generically to "John and Jane Doe and Persons Unknown". This form of broad injunction has been ruled illegal in three other Canadian provinces, and in the highest courts in the United States, England and Australia. In these jurisdictions, this injunction has been determined to be overly broad, violating the public's right to civil protest.