Blast from the Past
The two faces of Powell River
By Gerry Gray
It is hard to believe that only about 130 years ago--a hiccup in the millennia of time--this area was being raped and pillaged by men who had one thing on their minds... money. Environment was a word yet to be invented or if it was, it wasn't known to these invaders.
It was lush pickings for these men from other places. Old growth logs could be boomed from the shoreline; woods were full of furry animals whose coats were worth their weight in gold in the big city markets; the ocean yielded an abundance of food fish and from dawn to dusk these, now mostly endangered species, were harvested for city folks dinner tables.
But even those heady hauls had limitations. Soon the loggers, fishermen, miners and trappers weren't harvesting the copious cargoes to send to Vancouver or Seattle. It didn't take long for someone to figure out that if prosperity was to continue restrictions had to be levied on the take. And so the birth of ecology came to the Sunshine Coast.
Because the habitat was still viable for a long run if regulated, families moved in, land was staked out, homes were built and wilderness areas became urbanized. Settlers needed schools, meeting halls, water supplies and all the things that go with community living.
Harvesting the riches of the land and sea became regulated as a more permanent population settled in. A general store became well stocked and numerous trips to Vancouver were not needed. In short the Sunshine Coast became civilized.
Powell River, which started industrial operations in 1912 was becoming an environmental problem as the paper mill was expanding rapidly and air pollution grew along with it. But little was said, as most of the residents of the village were mill workers. Unabated fumes from Bunker C oil used as a fuel for the boilers continually wafted over the Townsite and Cranberry. Carbon particulates from burnt "hog fuel" spotted sheets hung out to dry much to the chagrin of housewives, and the smell of sulphur permeated the air.
Residents, even those who worked at the mill, were becoming restless and suddenly groups started complaining about the state and health of Powell Rivers' atmosphere. It wasn't until after the "Dirty Thirties" and World War II that the environment became a concern all over the country.
Early environmentalists are applauded for their persistent complaints about the harm large companies were doing to the human ecology. In the early 1960s scientists discovered a hole in the "Ozone Layer" which protects the earth from the sun's ultra-violet rays. The hole spread rapidly, its size reported on a daily basis. These UV rays are said to cause skin cancer to unprotected skin. Authorities blamed it on fossil fuels and now Powell River environmentalists had a hook to hang their complaints on.
Governments at all levels began to issue regulations pertaining to the uncontrolled use of fossil fuels and international meetings to discuss the issue were called. Meanwhile here at home mill management caught on to the growing unrest as more and more people came to the movement.
At the mill site additional scrubbers were installed to contain particulates; the sulphur system of breaking down fibres was scrapped and many of the protesters quieted down. But the dedicated few pressed on and demanded cleaner air and less odour.
It wasn't until the early 70s when the company announced a new kraft mill; number 11 paper machine and larger dock did protesting start up again with a vigour. The whole municipality smelled like unwashed diapers and even a double dose of scrubbers couldn't contain the ghastly smell, which one wit described: "it was the smell of money" a phrase that caught on and was used whenever a newcomer said Powell River smelled "peculiar."
When the opening of the kraftmill took place the incumbent municipal council passed a motion the municipality wouldn't complain about the mills' operation. Of course the company paid nearly $9 million in annual taxes at the time and the whole project came to more than $300 million and provided hundreds of much needed construction jobs.
Soon a strong local environmental movement went into action and managed to gain on many fronts. "Go Green" is the slogan of the day and Powell River has done its bit. Environmentalists boast the Millennium Forest, open spaces for parks and recreation, a safe water supply (the best in the province some say) and close cooperation with city hall under the direction of Mayor Stewart Alsgard. The kraftmill closed down in November of 2001. Much more attention is paid to the forestry practices and protection of fish bearing streams than in the past. Logging companies complained it took too long to conform to the government permits and they were losing money. Of course, environmentalists said it should take longer.
Environmental rules and regulations govern almost every aspect of life on this end of the Sunshine Coast. Tourists take a deep breath and exclaim how fresh it is in this area. Many have stayed and few have regretted the move. All in all thanks to those who were undaunted in their opposition to damage done to our atmosphere. Powell River is indeed the "Pearl on the Sunshine Coast."
