FOSBA Bulletin August 2025

Dear Friends,

On July 9^th 2025, a two-person delegation from Mosaic Forest Products (Mosaic land use forester Colin Koszman and vice-president sustainability and chief forester Jimmie Hodgson) addressed our qRD Committee of the Whole. The purpose appeared to be threefold: to impress upon our politicians the importance of the company to our local economy, to parade their outstanding corporate behavior, and to inform the politicians that Mosaic would be doing “assessments” on some of their eastern and southern holdings (Lois lake, Eagle river, Stillwater) within the qRD, with possible “operational activities” (meaning logging) this coming winter. When asked if our Stillwater Bluffs would be included, Mr. Koszman insisted there was no plan to log the Bluffs at this time.

Already there are ribbons appearing around some of the Mosaic blocks in Stillwater and we have received inquiries from concerned residents. As the residents of Crowther Road recently experienced, the Stillwater residents have legitimate concerns. The most concerning will be the method of logging. Will the blocks be selectively logged or clear-cut where heaps of slash are left to dry out over the summer to become fuel for a potential lightning strike? Recent fires around Port Alberni have shown that coastal fire is changing its behaviour to resemble the devastating, fast and uncontrollable interior fires (https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/mount-underwood-fire-a-harbinger-of-future-island-fires-1.7616001). Other concerns involve blow-down with changing wind strengths and patterns, road damage from logging trucks (and whose responsibility is it to fix such damage – Mosaic, the contractor, qRD or Ministry of Transportation?) as well as erosion, stream and river impacts.

Mr. Koszman went door-to-door on Crowther road to inform residents of the immanent logging. Let’s hope the residents of Stillwater are shown the same level of concern.

Mosaic’s bottom line is that they follow government guidelines in their operations and are not legally required to go above that. They might be reminded that local knowledge can be very valuable, as those in government offices don’t necessarily understand local conditions or concerns.

BLACKBERRY FESTIVAL

We tabled on Marine Avenue last Friday, and had another fun and interesting experience. A damp and rainy morning turned into a lovely blue-sky afternoon, and the street was thick with people celebrating the abundant (invasive) blackberries. We gained over thirty more “Friends” and enjoyed many meaningful conversations.

RARE SPECIES DISCOVERED ON THE BLUFFS

A visiting naturalist recognized a species of special concern that is Blue listed. Texas Toad-flax (https://goert.ca/wp/wp-content/uploads/SAR-factsheet-nuttallanthus-texanus.pdf) sports two-lipped violet to pale blue flowers atop slender 32-inch-tall stalks. A slender recurved spur extends to the rear of the calyx, and the plant has a small basal leaf rosette. Blue-listed species are those at risk but not yet endangered or threatened; they have characteristics that make them especially vulnerable to human activities or natural events. Look for these flowers from mid spring to early summer.

RETURNABLES

Once again, a reminder to donate those returnables at the bottle depot on Duncan Street. Simply let the attendant know you wish to donate to FOSBA. He has the code handy in a file and gives you a receipt. We recently received a cheque for $571.00 so those returns really add up. A big thanks to those who participate!

Through our monthly bulletins we will keep you informed.  You will hear about the Bluffs from many different angles in the hopes that being well informed you can lend your support when the time comes for action.  Please keep reminding those busy friends and family about FOSBA.  They can join (only $10) and/or donate here at https://www.fosba.org.  Thus far we have over 525 signed members.

We look forward to seeing you at the Sunshine Music Festival on Aug. 30^th and 31^st at Palm Beach. Come by and say hello.

Happy trails

Lauritz