Hey All,
A special treat for you.
Michael is the Deputy Environment critic and as such he has obligations that take him across the province.
In this transcript is about what an MLA may encounter in the line of duty.
Enjoy!
2009 Legislative Session: First Session, 39th Parliament
HOUSE BLUES
This is a DRAFT TRANSCRIPT ONLY of debate in one sitting of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia. This transcript is subject to corrections, and will be replaced by the final, official Hansard report. Use of this transcript, other than in the legislative precinct, is not protected by parliamentary privilege, and public attribution of any of the debate as transcribed here could entail legal liability.
DEBATES OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY
(HANSARD)
HOUSE BLUES
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2009
Afternoon Sitting
HSE – 20091028 PM 001/bjm/1330
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2009
RAIN FOREST PROTECTION
IN INCOMAPPLEUX VALLEY
M. Sather: Most British Columbians are aware that the west coast of our province is a rain forest. However, not that many know that we also have an extensive inland temperate rain forest in southeastern British Columbia. [DRAFT TRANSCRIPT ONLY]
I recently had the pleasure of visiting the Incomappleux Valley, a place I will never forget. The upper Incomappleux is an ancient and truly magnificent ecosystem. I stood beside its massive red cedars, 12 feet in diameter and 1,800-years-old. I saw western hemlocks as large as those found on the coast. I saw huge white pines, larger than I’ve ever seen in my years as a biologist in B.C. [DRAFT TRANSCRIPT ONLY]
We walked by trees that had been recently rubbed by the grizzly bear, leaving his telltale silvertip hair behind. We searched massive tree cavities looking for early denning black bears. We followed the trail of the mountain caribou, who feed on the abundant lichens of the forest in early winter. [DRAFT TRANSCRIPT ONLY]
Scientists believe the upper Incomappleux forest is thousands of years older than its oldest trees. It is still the great unknown. Although there has been minimal research in the Incomappleux to date, already scientists have discovered nine species of plants not known to occur anywhere else in the world. Incredibly, probably due to its obscurity, the upper Incomappleux Valley is not protected by any park, protected area or land use plan. The Incomappleux is the crown jewel of the inland temperate rain forest. It is not replicated elsewhere. To lose it would be unforgivable. [DRAFT TRANSCRIPT ONLY]
I invite all members to visit this ancient forest. Let’s work together to ensure that our grandchildren and their grandchildren can do the same. [DRAFT TRANSCRIPT ONLY]
VALHALLA WILDERNESS SOCIETY
RAIN FOREST hiking tour
G. Gentner: I want to follow up what my colleagues have said about the Valhalla Wilderness Society and our excursion to the Incomappleux headwaters about 12 days ago. [DRAFT TRANSCRIPT ONLY]
As a city slicker, I knew that when the member for Maple Ridge–Pitt Meadows and one of our guides compared the grizzly mauling scars and the fact that I was one trek member who didn’t carry any bear mace, I knew this venture could become exhilarating. During our hike between the headwaters and the isolated, ancient rain forest, one of our team members took a tumble off a fallen tree. At about 3:30, she has dislocated her elbow and had a spiral fracture in her right tibia. [DRAFT TRANSCRIPT ONLY]
It was raining, and in an hour the dank, wet forest was going to get darker. While the injured party received first aid treatment by my esteemed colleague, two members hiked down to our base camp for a stretcher, thermal bag and blankets. By 5:30 we began our slippery descent. [DRAFT TRANSCRIPT ONLY]
It took the full team to assist. Along hazardous terrain, two members were harnessed at both ends of the stretcher while two more were on the other side steadying and propping up poles, and two others were there for navigating purposes. [DRAFT TRANSCRIPT ONLY]
While the slender, lankier MLA took his place in the front, harnessed, the pudgier fellow took up the rear weighted down with the others’ backpacks and flashlight in hand, sometimes crawling on hand and knee, instructed team members on their footing on rocks, stumps, snags and up and over massive logs. [DRAFT TRANSCRIPT ONLY]
We inched our way step by step over a long precipice to the river canyon below us. It took us more than three hours to reach our all-terrain vehicles, which then carried us over boulders and debris from avalanches, through washouts and partial bridges. By 10 o’clock our injured party was admitted to Nakusp hospital. [DRAFT TRANSCRIPT ONLY]
I would like to thank our guides, forester Craig, bear biologist Wayne, lichenologist Toby, guide and mountain hostel owner Pat and at the base camp Ruel for their skill and poise during a mishap that could have been disastrous. They were experienced, ready and equipped. Today Ann is recovering from her injuries, but her and the members of the Valhalla Wilderness Society’s resolve is stronger than ever to protect this ancient rainforest. [DRAFT TRANSCRIPT ONLY]
