Logging Begins in Great Bear Rainforest

["greenbase" <greenbas@gb.greenpeace.org>]

WESTERN FOREST PRODUCTS FIRES FIRST VOLLEY IN FIGHT FOR 
GREAT BEAR RAINFOREST

GREENPEACE DENOUNCES WFP'S LOGGING OF INTACT RAINFOREST
VALLEY

(VANCOUVER, B.C.) Monday, 23 March, 1998 -- Greenpeace
today denounced the decision by Western Forest Products to
begin blasting roads into the intact rainforest valleys of
the Mooto-Ingram of the Great Bear Rainforest. Western's
decision unilaterally ends negotiations with environmental
groups and is guaranteed to spark a strong response from
the international marketplace.  

"At a time when environmental groups have collectively been
working very hard to find economic and environmental
solutions, it's outrageous that WFP would terminate
negotiations with such a provocative act," said Karen
Mahon, senior forests campaigner for Greenpeace. "Despite
Western's eco-babble about 'new approaches' to forestry
this is old-fashioned clearcutting wrapped up in sensitive
new-aged packaging."

Environmental groups have been in discussions with logging
companies over a potential moratorium of logging in intact
valleys to allow for a successful and meaningful land use
planning process for the area (known as the LRMP). The
moratorium was proposed to last the duration of the LRMP,
so that all concerned stakeholders have the opportunity to
develop a diversified economic and environmental strategy
for the area. WFP's decision to log in an intact valley has
ended the possibility for dialogue and guarantees the
failure of environmental aspects of the central coast
process.

Recently European buyers of BC wood products have been in
dialogue with Western Forest Products concerning the
ongoing clearcutting of the remaining intact rainforest
valleys, and have requested that WFP support the call for
a moratorium. These companies have been waiting to act
based on Western's next move.

"As awareness of the Great Bear Rainforest grows
internationally, now more than ever it's true that the
world is watching," said forests campaigner Tamara Stark.
"Over the coming days we will ensure that concerned
customers know what Western has done and we're certain that
they will not support logging companies who're actively
destroying the rainforest."

Western Forest Products is Canada's second largest
clearcutter of ancient rainforest valleys, with 24 pristine
valleys and key ecological areas slated for logging. 

Greenpeace on the Internet: http://www.greenpeace.org