Possibly there is a limit to how much even Clearwater residents want to talk about forest issues.
Wells Gray Community Forest held two highly successful open houses on March 27, each attended by close to 20 members of the public. Then on April 5, a Healthy Forests/Healthy Communities forum had an attendance of about 70.
However, a follow-up session held by the community forest on Thursday, April 10, attracted only two members of the public – and both of them had some connections with WGCF.
The Thursday session was part of the community forest's process to develop a long-term strategic plan.
Those who did attend were given some interesting information developed from the earlier open houses.
According to the WGCF website, 24 questionnaires were completed and submitted, plus an additional five written submissions were received.
The questionnaires asked three questions:
1. What specific priorities, values or interests do you have on the land base?
2. The society has distributed $400,000 to non-profit organizations and local government;
a. Are you familiar with how the money was distributed;
b. Are there ways to improve the distribution process?
3. How would you like the community forest to benefit Wells Gray Country?
Comments under question one, values and interest, included that protection of the community from wildfire should be a priority. This should include not just fuel management but also provision of high capacity pumps, sprinkler systems, backup generators and so on.
Question 2a, how the money is distributed, got a range of replies ranging from “not familiar” to “all is good.”
Question 2b, how to improve the distribution process, received comments such as “Distribution process works well and has really benefited our valley population. The process is ever evolving and work is always done to distribute funds openly and in an effective manner.”
How the community forest could help Wells Gray Country seemed to attract the most replies.
Comments included, “WGCF should think in terms of sponsoring a few long term projects, not just short term proposals,” “Local employment should be a priority,” and “My concern is not how the money is spent but how the land and the environment are treated.”
The two open houses and the follow-up session were part of a process being overseen by consultant Grant Thompson of Summerland.
The next steps will include the WGCFC board developing a draft strategic plan for the community forest, which will be posed on the website for review and comment on June 16.
The period for public review and comment on the draft strategic plan will end on July 11.
On July 31, the final strategic plan will be posted on the WGCFC website, www.wgcfc.ca.