Clear-Cut Logging Coming to Calgary’s Playground

Bragg Creek Environmental Coalition

June 20, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

BRAGG CREEK: The Bragg Creek Environmental Coalition will host a public information meeting in Calgary on Wed, June 21, 2006 at 7 pm, to discuss the draft Forest Management Plan developed by Spray Lakes Sawmills, which proposes clear-cut logging on the eastern slopes of K-Country, including Sibbald Flats, West Bragg Creek, Station Flats and Allen Bill Pond – areas directly east of Moose Mountain.

This area is Calgary’s recreational playground, with as many as 500,000 visitors to the eastern slopes of K-Country each year.

In addition, 450,00 Calgarians depend on the Elbow River Watershed as the source for their drinking water.

Dr. Ralph Cartar of the Bragg Creek Environmental Committee will discuss the implications of the draft FMP, and its impact on recreation and the Elbow River Watershed. He calls on Calgarians to ask for an immediate moratorium on clear-cut logging on the eastern slopes of K-Country. The draft FMP asks for public input by June 23, 2006.

Cartar identifies several key issues in clear-cut logging in eastern K-Country, which all Calgarians should be concerned about, including:

Impact on Calgary’s water supply
Recreation use
Flood risks

“This area of Alberta is an ecological jewel that needs protecting,” says Cartar. “It should not be turned into an industrial zone.”

As a potential solution for the protection of this valuable ecological and recreational area, a proposal to turn this area of K-Country into a protected Wildland Park will also be presented.

Date:                Wed, June 21, 2006
Time:                7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Location:            Mount Royal College
                        Jenkins Theatre; Room I115

For More InformationContact:

Bruce Barker
949-0070
bruce@haywirecreative.ca

BCEC provides a forum for area residents, government and industry to work together on important Alberta environmental issues. Strong emphasis is given to raising public awareness of environmental issues affecting our region as well providing educational programs utilizing a variety of activities and communication mechanisms.

This is a list of some of the projects the BCEC has been involved in:

Committee for Instream Objectives Upper Elbow River
Bow River Basin Water Quality Foundation
Shell Moose Mountain Gas Development
McLean Creek Harvest Plan Advisory Committee
Husky Moose Mountain Oil and Gas Development
Alberta Forest Conservation Strategy
Kananaskis Coalition
Logan Ridge Area Protection Project
Bragg Creek Hamlet Development Issues
Elbow Sheep Wildland Park Input
High Country News Monthly Article
Agricultural Leases Review Committee Input

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