July 10th, 2018 Dear Premier Hon. John Horgan; Hon. George Heyman, Minister of Parks and Environment; Hon. Doug Donaldson, Minister of Forests; Hon. David Eby, Attorney General and Point Grey MLA; Hon. Andrew Weaver, Green Party Leader: Re: Please Put a Stop to Skagit Valley Logging adjacent to Manning Park - Time Sensitive I am writing to express my great dismay at learning that the current Provincial NDP Government is complicit in allowing further aesthetic and environmental degradation of one of the most scenic view corridors in the province of BC. I am referring to your granting BC Timber Sales the right to tender forestry cutblocks in the Skagit Valley, immediately beside Manning Provincial Park. I understand that road building is currently taking place in the subalpine in the Skagit River basin, and has already cut through two formerly pristine drainages. Highway 3 between Hope and Princeton is an area of very high scenic value, heavily travelled by BC residents and tourists alike. It is also critically important habitat, an irreplaceable wildlife corridor for a number of iconic BC species, in a region which is experiencing increasing development and resource extraction pressures. For your government to allow these cutblocks to proceed is indefensible for the following reasons: -This logging plan violates the Skagit Environmental Endowment Commission’s mandate to conserve and protect wilderness and wildlife habitat in this beautiful area, and to enhance recreational opportunities in the Skagit Valley. -This logging plan flies in the face of the tourism and scenic values of this region, which is within a two drive of the Lower Mainland, and a major tourist draw. Beautiful Highway 3 is already marred by unsightly small clearcuts just outside the gates to Manning Park, one of the crown jewels of our parks system. Logging scars created in the Skagit Valley will be a hideous eyesore for decades to come, and an affront to those who enter Manning Park expecting to find unspoiled wilderness. -The already existing logged patches along Highway 3, plus any further forestry activity in the Manning Park/ Skagit corridor, violate former government requirements that logging not be carried out within sight of major view corridors, a requirement that is being increasingly ignored as forestry companies are expected to “self-regulate”. -Logging in prime view corridors such as Highway 3 in the Skagit/Manning Park corridor is in direct conflict with BC’s internationally famous brand as “SuperNatural BC”. As BC residents who have travelled extensively around the province, we have encountered tourists from all over the world who are here principally to experience our beautiful and pristine natural environment. Given Manning Park’s proximity to Vancouver, it seems particularly important to preserve this heavily travelled and stunning area in its natural state for all to enjoy for generations to come. Tourism values from this corridor long-term will greatly exceed any temporary monetary gain from short-lived but destructive tree harvesting. Rather than permit logging to take place in this Skagit area crown land, which was exempted from Manning Park in approx. 1997, please take a long term view on behalf of all BC residents, and restore this area to Manning Park so that it can be protected and enjoyed in perpetuity. It is regrettable that this action was not taken by government some time ago; it now appears that time is running out. Protecting this area as parkland could be one of the greatest and most lasting legacies of your government, from my perspective. I would appreciate hearing back from the current BC NDP government at your earliest convenience in response to this request. The issue is obviously extremely important, time sensitive, and the environmental and aesthetic damage done potentially irreversible. Sincerely, Hilary Reid Vancouver BC .