West Bragg logging plan damaging to kilometres of trail, recreation groups say
A plan to log 450 hectares of old-growth forest near Bragg Creek, Alta., would significantly damage kilometres of popular trails, say groups representing recreational users.
The plan by West Fraser, which now owns Spray Lakes Sawmills, is to cut two large blocks of timber in 2026.
But the cut blocks cover between 25 and 30 kilometres of existing hiking, equestrian and mountain bike trails.
"Obviously, this is going to be a significant impact to the area as far as changing the landscape," said Conrad Schiebel, president of Bragg Creek Trails.
"We're working with West Fraser to try to sort out what kinds of mitigations we can put in place to reduce the impact to the trails and the trail users."
Schiebel's group is responsible for the design and maintenance of the network.
In a previous cut conducted in 2012 aimed at limiting fire risk to Bragg Creek, trees were left as a buffer around impacted trails.
Most of those have blown over during the past decade.
Jeff Woodgate with Grow Kananaskis says traffic counters show the trails see around 300,000 users a year and are a go-to weekend recreation destination for many Calgarians.
"It significantly affects the experience that all those recreationalists would have," Woodgate said.
In a statement Wednesday, West Fraser said in part:
"We welcome input on our forest planning including for the West Bragg Creek / Moose Mountain area. Public input is important as it helps inform our plans with insights from local residents and stakeholder groups as to the values that are important to them – whether that is particular knowledge of trails or visual quality objectives that should be considered and factored into our planning."
The statement goes on to say interested people can participate in a public feedback session on May 8 in Cochrane, Alta.
It also notes no timber will be harvested this season, which lasts until spring 2025.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Board orders deportation for trucker in horrific Humboldt Broncos crash
The truck driver who caused the horrific bus crash involving the Humboldt Broncos junior hockey team has been ordered to be deported.
Community mourns victims of fatal boat crash near Kingston, Ont.
The three people killed in last weekend's tragic collision between a speedboat and a fishing boat north of Kingston are being remembered Friday.
A woman took her dog to a shelter to be euthanized. A year later, the dog is up for adoption again
Exhausted and short on options after consulting two veterinary clinics, Kristie Pereira made the gut-wrenching decision last year to take her desperately ill puppy to a Maryland shelter to be euthanized.
Group tied to Islamic State plotted fatal Ontario restaurant shooting: Crown
A gunman who is accused of killing a young Ontario man and shooting four of his family members at their small Mississauga restaurant in 2021 was allegedly part of a trio who had pledged allegiance to the listed terrorist group Islamic State, a Crown attorney said in an opening statement in the Brampton murder trial this week.
'A really bad car crash': Why health experts are raising concerns over surging syphilis cases
A sexually transmitted infection (STI) that was once thought to be a thing of the past is now a public health priority for North American doctors.
Purolator truck drivers from Guelph, Ont. save man walking in Hwy. 407 lanes
A pair of Purolator transport truck drivers from Guelph, Ont. are being hailed as heroes for their efforts in helping a person in crisis.
Trudeau responds to American senators calling on Canada to increase defence spending
Stopping short of offering the assurance U.S. senators are seeking, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said his government is aware there's more work to do in order to see Canada meet NATO's defence spending target.
Toddler dies after being struck by recycling truck in Barrie, Ont. neighbourhood
A toddler has died after being struck by a recycling truck in a Barrie, Ont. neighbourhood on Thursday afternoon.
Milk sold in Canadian grocery stores tested for avian influenza; results released
As avian flu spreads south of the border, Canadian officials are now testing samples of milk sold in grocery stores across the country.