VICTORIA – On Wednesday, Premier John Horgan and Minister Katrine Conroy announced the BC NDP government will honour the request by the Pacheedaht, Huu-ay-aht and Ditidaht First Nations to defer old growth logging in Fairy Creek Watershed and Central Walbran Valley.

“Protecting our beloved old growth forests for generations to come is important to many people in my community and this is a significant step towards that,” said Mitzi Dean, MLA for Esquimalt-Metchosin. “Indigenous communities have the right to land management and I am glad that our government’s decision to protect Fairy Creek follows the lead of the Pacheedaht, Huu-ay-aht and Ditidaht First Nations.”

On Monday June 7, the three First Nations issued the Hišuk ma c̕awak Declaration, taking back decision-making responsibilities over their traditional territories while also asking the province to defer old growth logging in 2,000 hectares of old growth forest.

This deferral adds to nearly 200,000 hectares of old growth the BC NDP government has already protected, including in Clayoquot Sound and the Skagit “Donut Hole” in Manning Park. These areas had been left vulnerable by the BC Liberals.

Dean said all First Nations have the inherent right of self-determination and are uniquely positioned to be stewards of their territories.

Learn more: https://news.gov.bc.ca/24654