Editor's note: The following letter was written by Cumberland resident Jeremy Grasby who is also seeking endorsement of the letter from Cumberland residents in general.


To: Gary Lawson
TimberWest Forest Corp.
Suite 2300 - 1055 West Georgia St.
P.O. Box 11101
Vancouver, British Columbia
Canada V6E 3P3
Telephone: (604) 654-4600
Fax: (604) 654-4662

From: Jeremy Grasby
United Riders of Cumberland
Box 778
Cumberland BC
V0R 1S0
(250) 336-8250
inforidingfool.com

Endorsed By: BC Bike Race, Mind Over Mountain Adventure Racing, Cumberland Community Forest Society, River Rats Trail Running Club, Vancouver Island Mountain Bike Association, Village of Cumberland, Cumberland Residents Association, Cumberland Rec Society, Comox Valley Tourism, Ministry of Sport Tourism and the Arts, Comox Valley Bike Shops: Dodge City Cycles, Mountain City Cycle, Trail Bikes, Simon's Cycle, Black's Cycle

Regarding: Logging and Road Building activity West of Allen Lake (see map attached)

Mr. Gary Lawson,

Thank you for taking the time to speak with me the other day. As I am sure you are aware, the Comox Valley has seen increased growth and worldwide exposure as a result of its numerous outdoor activities and opportunities. Mountain biking specifically has seen significant growth and expansion, and Cumberland is the hub of mountain biking in the Comox Valley. People from BC, Canada and the world are appreciating the unique setting and atmosphere of the Cumberland riding community. A community growing around local, envirnomental and family values.

With over a decade of co-existance between the mountain biking community and the logging industry, we believe that now is the time to facilitate dialogue in order to plan and protect the growing assets of the mountain biking community in accordance with the needs of the logging industry.

Our immediate concern is the harvesting of timber and road building around the trail known as "Bucket of Blood" located west of Allen Lake. This trail is the quintessential Cumberland trail as it sees the most ridership, events and media coverage. Bucket of Blood was a highlight in the 2007 BC Bike Race and has been featured for the past 5 years in the Mind Over Mountain Adventure Race Series. Both events are sponsored by TimberWest. Bucket of Blood is also used in the Perseverance Creek Trail Run which raises money for the Cumberland Community Forest Society. The direct economic impact and positive media exposure of these activities lead to increased ridership and drive a growing recreation and tourism industry in Cumberland and the Comox Valley.

In reviewing your web page it is apparent that TimberWest has a consistent community minded theme. Under the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics for Timberwest there is a section regarding Social Responsibility that reads "TimberWest believes being a good corporate citizen is an important measure of it's successes as a company. We give back to the communities in which we do business by focussing on activities that make a meaningful difference." Under Company Information/Donations there is a section that reads "TimberWest takes pride in contributing to the economic and social well being of the communities where we operate and where our employess live...." It goes on to say that Timberwest objectives are to "support organizations and projects that improve the quality of life in communities and regions where TimberWest operates."

By addressing the concerns of the mountain bike community and other user groups, TimberWest would be fulfilling its Corporate Philosophy and Code of Business Conduct and Ethics as well as contributing to the social and economic well being of Cumberland. If there is anything we can do to assist, whether it be in the form of positive media recognition or walking the area with Timberwest Foresters, please let us know.

Thank You,

Jeremy Grasby,
Cumberland Resident
Resource Management Technician
Parks and Recreation Technologist
President United Riders of Cumberland
Board Member Cumberland Community Forest Society
Board Member Comox Valley Tourism
BC Bike Race Day 3 Course Director
Cumberland Business Owner
Mountain Biker and Parent