Logging began this week in what was supposed to be an area of forest in the Chilliwack River Valley set aside for the protection of the spotted owl.

The spotted owl is one of the most endagered species in Canada. Fewer than 10 are estimated to be living in the wild in B.C.

One of those owls was recently located just three kilometres from where Tamihi Logging began cutting down trees. Ministry staff will monitor and shut down operations if necessary.

But there is also the people of Post Creek who live near these cutblocks and for whom this is their backyard.

Many might ask, why can't the company just go cut trees somewhere else?

The issue of course, is money. Seen from the air, from space, the 1.4 million-hectare Chilliwack Forest District is vast indeed.

Bordered by Bowen Island to the west, Manning Park to the east, Boston Bar to the north and the United States to the south, the district is the most densley populated in the province.

The trees are near hundreds of thousands of people. And the people live on or near roads used by logging companies to get to the trees.

When newcomers to B.C. drive along a highway and see clearcuts on mountainsides, some might ask, why not do that on the other side of the mountain where it won't be seen?

The answer is, of course, because if you can't see it that means a logging company needs to build a road even farther into the woods, which is very expensive.

Logging companies want the easy pickings and government will try to oblige wherever possible.

That will always lead to conflicts of one kind or another and, given its size and location, it's almost a wonder there isn't more conflict in the Chilliwack Forest District.