The following represents our current position based on our understanding of the facts at this time.

1.       The current logging taking place in Stanley Park (“SP”) is of significant portions. By admission of the City of Vancouver (“COV”) 160,000 trees, representing almost one third of the estimated half million trees in SP, will or have been felled. Currently, one can easily observe massive near-clearcuts in certain areas, including the Prospect Point area. Further, it can be observed from large stacks of felled trees at Prospect Point and along Pipeline Road, among other areas, that many living trees have been cut down--many of which appear to have been healthy. Such logging operation is dramatically changing the ecology, aesthetics, and visitor experiences offered by SP, and will for most of our lifetimes. The logging operation is irreversible.

2.       SP is of significant historical and current value to residents of Vancouver as well as to visitors from around the world. SP is designated as a National Historic Park.

3.       Any proposed operation or policy change which significantly alters the character of SP should be decided upon minimally by a resolution of the Vancouver Park Board (“Board”) or more likely by public referendum, but in either case only after public transparency and an adversarial public dialogue with expert scientists representing alternate views. In fact, this logging operation was not approved by resolution of the Board; rather it was decided, by the Board’s own characterization, as an “operational matter” by Board staffers. There were no public hearings. There is no evidence to date that there was a competitive bidding process for the logging contract, which was given to B A Blackwell & Associates after a Request for Proposal to which there is no current evidence that any entity other than Blackwell responded. If there were other proposals(s), there is no public record of such proposals.

4.       There is reasonable doubt that the current logging operation is scientifically justifiable. I have spoken with--or am aware of by press reports--several credible experts who have stated and can be expected to testify that there were and/or remain alternate strategies for managing the Western Hemlock Looper moth infestation (and damage caused thereby) which are less extreme than this logging operation and without the consequences as described above. Further, other jurisdictions such as the City of North Vancouver have taken more conservative yet successful approaches towards managing similar Looper Moth infestations.

5.       There is evidence that COV has either misrepresented the logging operation to the public or the operation has expended beyond its original representation. Specifically, COV has given the impression that only dead or severely diseased trees would be removed, and selectively so. Observational evidence shows both of these claims to likely be false, as detailed above.

6.       Parks Canada and the Board encourage the protection of the commemorative integrity of all national historic sites. It is our hope that sound cultural and heritage resource management and the Standards and Guidelines for the Conservation of Historic Places in Canada will be used for any decision-making when planning for, intervening on and using historic places. (This needs to be researched).

7.       For all of the above reasons, all logging operations should immediately cease until a complete adversarial public review, with expert opinions on the merits of the current and alternate strategies, can be accomplished. After such review, the strategy going forward, whether a resumption of logging or an alternate strategy, should be approved only by proper process.