MOSAIC promises improved management of gates

Mosaic Forest Management won’t be removing any gates, but is committing to better management.

Karen Brandt, Senior Vice President of Public Affairs says a recent study launched by Mosaic showed the importance of recreational access to people in the Alberni Valley.

“This isn’t a commitment to open every gate, it’s about better access when and where it’s safe to do so,” she said. “People have a lot of interest in the Port Alberni valley in accessing those lands, and what they’re saying is we’re not asking for the gates to disappear, what we’re asking for is better access, more reliable, transparent communications about when gates are open and when they’re closed, better ways to find the information. Most of the people in the survey didn’t even know we have a website where we list the gates.”

Brandt says Mosaic has become an unintentioned recreation provider, but needs to balance public access with concerns around mischief, vandalism, and an increase in human-caused wildfires.