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Published: February 22, 2010 1:00 PM
Okanagan Indian Band members have taken action against logging on the west side of Okanagan Lake.
As of 7 a.m. Monday, a blockade was established near Bouleau Lake so Tolko Industries could not harvest trees in the Browns Creek area.
“Title to the area is a matter that is presently before the courts and that the Crown has been unable to produce any documentation showing acquisition of title from the Okanagan Nation,” said Fabian Alexis, band chief, in a release.
Band members established camps in October to gather archeological evidence but to also prevent Tolko’s logging operation from occurring. A judge ruled in mid-January that the band can’t interfere with harvesting.
On Saturday, band members gathered at the Head of the Lake Hall to discuss the situation and a decision was made to proceed with a blockade because of the potential impact logging could have on their watershed.
A decision was also made to establish check-points as a way of keeping Tolko vehicles off Westside Road.
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