The SCCA believes that the public has a legitimate right to control activity in our watersheds and manage them strictly for the purpose of providing safe, clean drinking water.
In the summer of 2007, the resumption of logging on public lands in the Chapman Creek watershed after a fifteen year hiatus sparked a public uproar, with residents blockading logging roads and staging demonstrations. The SCCA initiated a citizen’s public health complaint, which led to a series of groundbreaking legal actions.
Public concern also grew in early 2008, as it became clear that the Sechelt Community Forest planned to log in the Chapman and Gray Creek watersheds. In March 2008, following representations by the Sechelt Indian Government to the provincial government to protect the Chapman and Gray watersheds, the Community Forest was removed from the watershed.
Read more:
- 2008 Sechelt Community Forest is Out of the Watersheds
- 2008 Thank you letter to the Sechelt Indian Band (PDF)
- 2013 Submission to Province re Water Sustainability Act of BC
These were the latest rounds in a thirty-year plus history of conflict over industrial activity in the Chapman Creek watershed, but this is not the only controversial watershed in the Sunshine Coast Forest District. Other current friction points include the Waugh Lake watershed near Egmont, and the Jefferd Creek watershed (PDF) near Powell River.
The SCCA has been extensively involved in the protection of our public drinking water. We are currently producing a history of the Chapman Creek Watershed (PDF), which is scheduled for publication in the summer of 2008.
Background Documents:
- A timeline of important dates and activities in the history of these watersheds (PDF)
- Joint Watershed Management Agreement between the SCRD and the Sechelt Nation
- Drinking Water Protection Plan Discussion Document
The People’s Water: The Fight for the Sunshine Coast’s Drinking Watersheds
Authors Daniel Bouman and Andrew Scott have compiled in one volume the story of all the things Sunshine Coasters have done over many years to protect our most valuable and important environmental asset–drinking water! The book is available for $20 at the following locations, or from us (order via email)
- Talewind Books, Sechelt
- Breakwater Books, Powell River
Here’s a teaser: Chapter 7 – The Summer of 07. We hope you enjoy this episode of recent history and maybe . even see yourself in this wonderful story of citizen engagement and advocacy.
We’d like to thank to the Vancouver Foundation for their generous support with this project.