March 25, 2004

Bellinghamseters who vacation on Vancouver Island may be surprised to know that British Columbia is planning to cut down old growth trees in the popular "Cathedral Forest" to expand the road between Parksville and Pt. Alberni from 2 to 3 lanes.

The primary purpose of the road expansion is to relieve the slight slowing of traffic due to forest visitors turning their cars into the park.

The idea of cutting down old growth trees for a minor road construction project is nonsensical given our current knowledge about the ecological importance of old growth.

I encourage others to join the growing list of people who will boycott BC products, starting with BC
hothouse tomatoes and wood products, until this road construction project is scrapped.

For more information and/or to obtain e-mail addresses of BC officials to contact, visit http://www.cathedralgrove.com/

John Bower
Bellingham, Washington