by Lee-Ann Unger
Ten years ago this summer, Clayoquot Sound was the site of the largest peaceful blockade in Canadian history. Twelve thousand people joined the protest to stop industrial logging of Clayoquot Sound’s ancient rainforests. By the end of the summer 856 people had been arrested and charged for standing on a logging road trying to prevent the further destruction to one of the world’s most biologically rich ecosystems. 1993 was a pivotal year for Clayoquot Sound and the environmental movement.
Clayoquot Summer 1993: A Day On the Road
Set below a mountain decimated by clearcut logging, the “Peace Camp” was in an equally devastated clearcut called the “Black Hole,” located just south of the junction between Tofino and Ucluelet. Morning began at 4:00 am as protesters camping in the Black Hole awoke to prepare for another day on the road. After a dusty, bumpy twenty-minute drive down a logging road, protesters would arrive at the now famous Kennedy River Bridge, the site of the protests.
Once there a campfire was built for warmth and bread topped with peanut butter was passed around. The meager breakfast offered some comfort on the cold mornings as people milled about sleepily to the sound of nature waking and the ever present drumming and guitar playing. On clear mornings, the lake shone in the morning light and the sound of eagles and other birds echoed through the forest.
As the summer wore on, this peaceful time of day was soon to be cherished as the calm before the storm. Anticipation and nerves grew as the morning sky brightened and the rumble of logging trucks grew in the distance. People made their way to the middle of the road intent on blocking the approaching trucks from the green cathedrals. Many others chose to stand in solidarity on the side of the road, holding signs and bearing witness to the continued destruction.
The trucks stopped as they reached the first row of protesters and a MacMillan Bloedel (MB) employee holding a thick stack of paper would exit his truck and begin to read an injunction ordering protesters to move to the side of the road. He spoke firmly into his radio as two other MB employees made their way through the crowd of protesters, video taping each of the faces in the crowd. It was an act of intimidation, but protesters stood silently yet assertively, preparing for what was to come. The reading of the injunction ended with the choice that each had to make, to stand on the road, block the trucks and face arrest or to move to the side of the road and watch as they went by. For many, after a lifetime of being taught to obey the law, it was a difficult decision. Ultimately, each knew in their hearts that what was happening to the forests of Clayoquot Sound was wrong and it was up to each of them to act and speak out. It was emotional and empowering as protesters standing, sitting and lying on the ground were removed one by one. There was a sense of peace and intensity in the air. Once the last protester who blocked the road had been removed the trucks continued on their way to work and those who remained headed back to the Peace Camp to plan for the next day.
As day turned to night the Peace Camp pulse would steadfastly continue with conversation, workshops, planning, music and dance. The Clayoquot Camp was always dynamic. It would become still only for a few short hours then reawaken for a new day of action.
A Day On the Road
Set below a mountain decimated by clearcut logging, the “Peace Camp” was in an equally devastated clearcut called the “Black Hole,” located just south of the junction between Tofino and Ucluelet. Morning began at 4:00 am as protesters camping in the Black Hole awoke to prepare for another day on the road. After a dusty, bumpy twenty-minute drive down a logging road, protesters would arrive at the now famous Kennedy River Bridge, the site of the protests.
Once there a campfire was built for warmth and bread topped with peanut butter was passed around. The meager breakfast offered some comfort on the cold mornings as people milled about sleepily to the sound of nature waking and the ever present drumming and guitar playing. On clear mornings, the lake shone in the morning light and the sound of eagles and other birds echoed through the forest.
As the summer wore on, this peaceful time of day was soon to be cherished as the calm before the storm. Anticipation and nerves grew as the morning sky brightened and the rumble of logging trucks grew in the distance. People made their way to the middle of the road intent on blocking the approaching trucks from the green cathedrals. Many others chose to stand in solidarity on the side of the road, holding signs and bearing witness to the continued destruction.
The trucks stopped as they reached the first row of protesters and a MacMillan Bloedel (MB) employee holding a thick stack of paper would exit his truck and begin to read an injunction ordering protesters to move to the side of the road. He spoke firmly into his radio as two other MB employees made their way through the crowd of protesters, video taping each of the faces in the crowd. It was an act of intimidation, but protesters stood silently yet assertively, preparing for what was to come. The reading of the injunction ended with the choice that each had to make, to stand on the road, block the trucks and face arrest or to move to the side of the road and watch as they went by. For many, after a lifetime of being taught to obey the law, it was a difficult decision. Ultimately, each knew in their hearts that what was happening to the forests of Clayoquot Sound was wrong and it was up to each of them to act and speak out. It was emotional and empowering as protesters standing, sitting and lying on the ground were removed one by one. There was a sense of peace and intensity in the air. Once the last protester who blocked the road had been removed the trucks continued on their way to work and those who remained headed back to the Peace Camp to plan for the next day.
As day turned to night the Peace Camp pulse would steadfastly continue with conversation, workshops, planning, music and dance. The Clayoquot Camp was always dynamic. It would become still only for a few short hours then reawaken for a new day of action.
10 Years Later
Significant accomplishments have been made as a result of incredible hard work of environmental groups and the actions of concerned individuals. These include a dramatic decrease in logging and prompted experimentation with some new logging techniques. Logging giant MacMillan Bloedel folded their industrial operations in the Sound and formed a joint venture logging company in Clayoquot called Iisaak Forest Resources, which is 51% owned by First Nations and 49% by MB (now by Weyerhaeuser). Although still logging in ancient forests, Iisaak is experimenting with conservation-based forestry and has agreed not to log in the large pristine valleys within their Tree Farm License.
Interfor, on the other hand, has been logging Clayoquot Sound since 1992 and continues to do so today. In their most recent logging plan, Interfor maintains logging at a high volume and displays desire to cut in some of Clayoquot’s pristine areas, which are rare on Vancouver Island, an island that is over 75% clearcut. The company has also recently stated intent to log in the pristine Sydney and Pretty Girl Valleys.
In the mid-1990s, a Scientific Panel made many recommendations for lessening the impact of logging in the rainforest valleys, but they are not legally binding, and are for the most part unimplemented. The recommendations have made some improvements to logging in the Sound, but certainly not to the degree that Interfor and the government would like us to believe.
Globally, being designated a Biosphere Reserve is certainly an honour, but what most don’t realize is that it offers absolutely no additional protection. Industrial logging of ancient forests and massive fish farming can occur within a Biosphere Reserve.
The above developments have made the Clayoquot Sound issue very complicated and hard to follow. These strategic measures by government and industry create the illusion that Clayoquot Sound is essentially protected.
The summer of 2003 marks the 10-year anniversary of the 1993 blockades. It’s an exciting time here in Clayoquot and is a great opportunity to get active and to speak up. Clayoquot has come so far, too far to stop now. Together, let’s protect Clayoquot Sound’s ancient forests forever.
***
Lee-Ann Unger, Friends of Clayoquot Sound
[From WS June/July 2003]
