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AUGUST 20 1993 THE FRIENDS OF CLAYOQUOT SOUND

CLAYOQUOT VALLEY THREATENED

As the number of arrests on the Clayoquot blockade climbs towards 600, the
NDP government has quietly promised to give MacMillan Bloedel permission
to begin blasting a road into the Clayoquot Valley within a month.  A
Forest Ministry memorandum states that the new forestry guidelines
promised by the Harcourt regime in its unpopular decision will be waived
for a period of 12 months in order to expediate loggin in one of the last
untouched valleys in Clayoquot Sound. Despite post-election assurances of
public participation, no public input will be allowed during the first
year of clearcut logging in this vital valley.

"After all the expensive PR from our corporate-led government, its
logging-as-usual in Clayoquot Sound," an angry Friends of Clayoquot Sound
director, Valerie Langer said today.  "MacBlo has flagged its road across
45 degree slopes along an important salmon spawning stream and we're
supposed to trust a company with 25 convictions for damaging fisheries?"

Nuu-chah-nulth nation chiefs and B.C.'s biggest environmental
organizations have re-affirmed their pledge to keep the big multinational
logging companies out of the pristine Clayoquot VAlley.  But the Forest
Ministry has told MB to expect its road-building permit by Sept. 14, 1993.

This morning saw 180 rainforest protectors blockading a fog-shrouded
Kennedy Rver bridge.  Eighteen people - including a longshoreman and a
disabled World War II vet - were arrested for refusing to allow Interfor
and MacMillan Bloedel logging trucks to pass.  "This is where patriots
belong," 73 year old Austin Delany stated before being taken into police
custody.  "An I'm calling on patriots and veterans particularly in B.C. to
come and stand on guard."

In related developments, an application before B.C. Supreme Court to quash
MacMillan Bloedel's anti-blockade injunction enters its second day of
hearings.  Friends' lawyers hope to convice the judge that MacMillan
Bloedel should not be allowed to use Crown,RCMP and court resources to
enforce a private dispute.
Though Clayoquot fallers are set to begin a two week holiday today,
grapple-yarding, road building and other rainforest-unfriendly activities
will continue at 20 locations throughout Clayoquot Sound.  "We will remain
on the road until Harcourt reverses his unfortunate decision," Langer
declared.

For more information call Garth Lenz or Valerie Langer 604-725-4218