West Twin Park Expansion Illuminates Broader Forestry Debate in British Columbia

A recent letter debating the expansion of West Twin Protected Area has sparked deeper discussions about forestry management practices and public consultation processes in British Columbia’s valuable forest ecosystems.

The expansion, which added over 1,000 hectares to the protected area, has become a flashpoint in ongoing tensions between conservation efforts and resource development. While some critics have characterized the decision as lacking public input, the expansion actually stems from the Land and Resource Management Plan (LRMP) process that began over two decades ago with extensive stakeholder engagement. The completion of this particular designation had been stalled since 1999 due to existing mineral claims in the area.

Critics of park expansions often cite concerns about removing land from productive use, arguing that an excessive portion of the provincial land base is already designated as parkland. However, conservation advocates point out that much of B.C.’s protected area system consists of unforested alpine terrain, steep slopes unsuitable for logging, or areas with limited commercial timber value.

In contrast, the rich lowland ecosystems with old-growth characteristics – particularly inland rainforest habitats that are globally rare – remain underrepresented in the province’s protected areas network. These ecosystems, which have developed over thousands of years since the last glacial period, serve critical ecological functions including carbon storage, water regulation, and supporting complex species relationships.

The Fraser Valley serves as a stark example of ecosystem transformation. Over the past century, intensive resource extraction and development have dramatically altered these landscapes from their natural state. The ecological complexity built up over millennia has been fragmented by industrial forestry practices, with diverse old-growth stands replaced by uniform, single-species plantations.

Forest ecology experts note that these simplified forest systems often demonstrate increased vulnerability to wildfires, disease outbreaks, and insect infestations compared to more diverse natural forests. Critics of current forestry practices argue that these transformative decisions have occurred with limited public consultation or ecological consideration.

Some forestry reform advocates suggest that a zoned management approach could better balance economic and ecological objectives. This might include directing intensive forestry operations toward second-growth areas using selective harvesting techniques to create diverse canopy structures, while establishing buffer zones around remaining primary forests and watersheds to allow for old-growth recruitment and ecosystem recovery over time.

The debate extends beyond ecological considerations to economic and social impacts. B.C.’s forest economy has become increasingly concentrated among a few large corporations, with significant volumes of raw logs and wood pellets exported internationally. This centralization has contributed to the closure of smaller, community-based sawmills across the province.

Critics attribute these trends to corporate lobbying and decision-making processes that occur with limited public transparency or input. They argue that such outcomes reflect powerful economic interests rather than balanced consideration of community needs, forest ecosystem health, and long-term sustainability.

The West Twin Park expansion represents just one decision in a complex landscape of forest governance challenges. As climate change intensifies pressures on forest ecosystems and communities dependent on forest resources, the question of how public input shapes forest management decisions remains central to both environmental and economic sustainability in British Columbia.

With rare forest ecosystems continuing to face development pressures and rural communities navigating economic transitions, finding governance approaches that meaningfully incorporate public values while addressing both conservation and economic needs represents a significant challenge for provincial policymakers.