Kananaskis Clear-Cutting - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

Lurch · 06-13-2006, 02:34 PM

Not sure if anyone here has seen this, and I didn't see anything in a quick search. Anyway, the province is planning on allowing clear cut logging in Kananaskis around Moose Mountain (more accurately already does allow). This is one of the busiest hiking, biking and horseback areas and will likely be destroyed via clear cutting. Please consider voicing your concerns to the province about ruining this recreation area so near the city.

http://www.braggcreek.ca/forest/

rubecube · 06-13-2006, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lurch

Not sure if anyone here has seen this, and I didn't see anything in a quick search. Anyway, the province is planning on allowing clear cut logging in Kananaskis around Moose Mountain (more accurately already does allow). This is one of the busiest hiking, biking and horseback areas and will likely be destroyed via clear cutting. Please consider voicing your concerns to the province about ruining this recreation area so near the city.

http://www.braggcreek.ca/forest/

Like the PCs are going to listen. Not like anyone in Alberta is going to vote for anyone else.

V · 06-13-2006, 03:00 PM

Unbelievable. I consider K-country to be my backcountry playground. I'll definitely be voicing my disgust, even if my objections won't affect anything. At least I can throw a few letters out.

Lurch · 06-13-2006, 03:05 PM

I didn't realize how extensive the logging plan is for the Bragg Creek area until I was forwarded the link above. For the mtn bikers/hikers on the forum, if you have seen the Quirk Creek/ Wildhorse loop before and after it was logged, you will realize how thoroughly ruined the Moose Mountain area will be by the time 2011 rolls around. From the map it appears Sulphur Springs Loop, Tom Snow and Moosepackers will be clear cut, which is a significant portion of the best trails in the Bragg area.

habernac · 06-13-2006, 03:09 PM

they've already plowed a frigging highway to the bottom of the Moosepacker switchbacks. I figured the natural gas in the area would be it's demise. Shell pretty much owns Moose Mtn I think. I'll be writing a letter or three.

Cowperson · 06-13-2006, 03:15 PM

The view Ennis and Jack had from top of Brokeback - er, Moose Mountain - will be ruined too.

Cowperson

Footscray · 06-13-2006, 03:27 PM

That's too bad to hear, I do most of my hiking in the Pass and Waterton - in Crowsnest there are areas that were clear cut in the late 60s early 70s and they are still pretty barren, takes a real long time to regenerate. Don't know why they would allow that in one of our tourist areas, it's not like we really need to generate more jobs or something.

RougeUnderoos · 06-13-2006, 03:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Footscray

Don't know why they would allow that in one of our tourist areas, it's not like we really need to generate more jobs or something.

We need don't to generate more jobs, but the people at Spray Lake Sawmills desperately need a little more money and we all know that is far more important that anything as trivial as quality of life, or our water supply.

Frankly I can't believe we've let the fine people at Spray Lakes go without for so long. Add that to the fact that we have a desperate shortage, as I'm sure you've noticed, of livestock bedding and fenceposts and it's pretty clear that those trees should, nay must, come down.

Tron_fdc · 06-13-2006, 03:53 PM

Well that sucks. I usually spend 2 nights a week on Moose, and I noticed that there was quite a bit of activity (logging especially) in the area.

There are a lot of people that use that area on a daily basis, and it would be a real shame if they decided to come in and clear cut it. It's not unusual to see 20-30 vehicles in the lot on any given day, with even more vehicles shuttling the road. It's extremely popular, and to shut it down would be a pretty big blow to the mtn bike community.

I would ask anyone that has even a remote interest in biking or hiking in that area to write a few letters of concern to the people listed at the bottom of that link.

KootenayFlamesFan · 06-13-2006, 04:03 PM

Interesting stuff.

I work as a forestry consultant here in B.C. For the last few years whenever there have been clearcuts in sensitive areas like this, it's been because of the infestation of the Mountain Pine Beetle. Just skimmed through the link, but it didn't seem they were cutting due to the bugs, but rather purely for volume purposes. Is that the truth, or does anyone know if there is indeed Pine beetle in this area?

If you are going to write somebody, make sure you write your levels of government. The reason they are allowing the logging company to harvest there is because the government will make (a lot of) money off of it..........pretty simple.

Azure · 06-13-2006, 04:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RougeUnderoos

We need don't to generate more jobs, but the people at Spray Lake Sawmills desperately need a little more money and we all know that is far more important that anything as trivial as quality of life, or our water supply.

Frankly I can't believe we've let the fine people at Spray Lakes go without for so long. Add that to the fact that we have a desperate shortage, as I'm sure you've noticed, of livestock bedding and fenceposts and it's pretty clear that those trees should, nay must, come down.

There are many other places that wouldn't be tourist attactions where they could get their wood from. This is pathetic. Albertans should value the nature around us.

RougeUnderoos · 06-13-2006, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cowperson

The view Ennis and Jack had from top of Brokeback - er, Moose Mountain - will be ruined too.

Cowperson

Literally those trees/that area/that view will be affected by this? If that's the case then I think it could be a pretty good PR thing. There was a lot of crowing about how beautiful Alberta is, what a great place bla bla bla and now they are going to cut it down. A lot more people know "where they filmed Brokeback Mountain" better than "Moose Mountain".

Table 5 · 06-13-2006, 04:36 PM

not like i needed another reason to not vote for the PC's, but sure doesn't help. They are turning into the Liberals....not giving crap what anybody says or how their actions will affect others, and just plowing (or in this case, razing) right ahead.

rubecube · 06-13-2006, 05:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Table 5

not like i needed another reason to not vote for the PC's, but sure doesn't help. They are turning into the Liberals....not giving crap what anybody says or how their actions will affect others, and just plowing (or in this case, razing) right ahead.

That's what happens when you leave one party in power for too long. Power corrupts, etc.

White Doors · 06-13-2006, 05:41 PM

If you click on the map in the link it will show the actual parts being forested. Alot of logging but it's not like the whole thing is being clear cut. It may also be part and parcel of the forest fire manegement policies. Look what happened in BC where the fuel levels got so high.
Also, cutting some forest is good for nature. It simulates the the forest fire effect and encourages new growth which is good for different types of wildlife. As long as they do it responsibly I don't have a real problem with it.

And to mention that they have been doing it since 2001 already.

KootenayFlamesFan · 06-13-2006, 05:43 PM

Well, doing a bit more reading on the link in the first thread, it looks like they are logging Pine after all. Not sure if the Pine beetle has already infested the stands they will harvest or not, but that is the reason they are logging there.

I undestand why people are upset, but there is a reason for the logging........it's not a pure money grab. I know from my experiences with the compay I work for that logging Pine stands is far from a monetary-driven reason for being there, but we do it to try and control the massive problems with the beetle.

I think those of you against it and want to write your MLAs or whomever should.......you should voice your concerns and ask questions. That's never a bad thing.

But IMO, I understand why they are logging there. It likely won't look pretty or make many people that use that area very happy, but I do understand why they are doing it.

habernac · 06-13-2006, 06:03 PM

if the pine beetle isn't there, what reason is there to cut down the trees? So they won't get infected? If that's the case, why not just let the damn beetles do the work?

RougeUnderoos · 06-13-2006, 06:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KootenayFlamesFan

I know from my experiences with the compay I work for that logging Pine stands is far from a monetary-driven reason for being there, but we do it to try and control the massive problems with the beetle.

Well that is a real surprise. I had no idea the forestry industry was so altruistic. I suppose they'll be donating the money they make to local charities?

KootenayFlamesFan · 06-13-2006, 06:27 PM

I'm not sure if they are already there or not. Perhaps there are adjacent stands that are infected, and the Bragg Creek area will be infested in the very near future. No much point in waiting until the entire area dies before cutting it.......might as well get some value from the wood while it is still there.

If there is no beetle anywhere around, then it is pretty shady. I'm just assuming the beetle has infected the stand at least to some extent.

KootenayFlamesFan · 06-13-2006, 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RougeUnderoos

Well that is a real surprise. I had no idea the forestry industry was so altruistic. I suppose they'll be donating the money they make to local charities?

No need for that, Rouge.

All I'm saying is that the company I work for operates a veneer plant. We tend to go after species like Larch, Fir, and Spruce for the most part. Pine is very far down the list. The only reason we log it is to try and control the Pine beetle population, which is a pretty massive problem right now, at least in B.C.