Fines for Cherryville slide

Photo: Ministry of Forests

Two reports that explain the cause and ramifications of a massive water and mud slide above Cherryville in 2012 have finally been released by the Ministry of Forests.

They show that lumber giants Tolko Industries and Weyerhaeuser were both fined following the slide that tore down Cherry Ridge, uprooting trees and causing major damage.

“Ministry staff conducted a thorough investigation of this slide and determined it was caused by inadequate drainage provisions,” an official government statement reads.

“As a result, the district manager assessed penalties on the two companies with a recent history of logging operations in the area.

“Weyerhaeuser was assessed a penalty of $14,500, and Tolko was assessed a penalty of $12,000.”

The two companies have appealed the decision, but a hearing date has yet to be set.

“It's a wet area, and it was logged,” said Hank Cameron, electoral Area E director. “The water was diverted out of its normal water course.

“It got into a rock shelf and peeled dirt off (that) slid 850 metres.”

Cameron praises Andrew Gage from West Coast Environmental Law for his efforts on Freedom of Information requests that were continuously delayed.