Clear Cut Logging in West Bragg Creek Raises Concerns

By Sustain Kananaskis

Proposals for logging in the West Bragg Creek area of Kananaskis Country will cover 700 hectares and impact 19 of the 21 trails from the West Bragg Creek trailhead. The proposals give a start date for logging as this summer (2012).

Sustain Kananaskis, a grass-roots initiative made up of Bragg Creek and Calgary residents, campers, trail users, and outdoor enthusiasts are concerned that many people affected by these plans do not know about them and have not been consulted.

There has been some public notification of these plans but this group feels a full public consultation is required. Public consultation would include issues concerning the future of Kananaskis Country and what it provides: clean drinking water, a diverse forest ecosystem and accessible recreational opportunities.

Sustain Kananaskis is leading a campaign to raise public awareness of these plans. It has developed a petition (which will be sent to Premier Redford) and letter writing campaign to the government decision makers (Sustainable Resource Development, MLAs, Premier Redford, and Ministers for recreation, water and SRD).

The trails and the surrounding landscape will be severely impacted during harvesting (a period of approximately nine months) and will take years to recover.

If you are moved to act, you can find our petition at the link below and the details of where to send your concerns on our website.

Link to Sustain Kananaskis Petition:

http://www.avaaz.org/en/petition/Massive_Clear_Cut_Logging by_Spray_Lake_Sawmills_in_West_Bragg_Creek_Alberta_Kananaskis_Country/?cgTqqcb

Link to List of Alberta Government Contacts:

www.sustaink.ca/links.asp

For more information visit our website at www.sustaink.ca or email info@sustaink.ca.

• Red lines are existing trails
• Yellow areas are proposed clear clut logging blocks

CAOC’s Support for Sustain Kananaskis in Logging Issue
By Calgary Area Outdoor Council

During the summer of 2012, Spray Lakes Sawmill is expected to begin a clear-cut logging project in the West Bragg Creek area of Kananaskis Country. The project would be completed in 2013, during which time a series of clear-cut blocks totaling about 1700 acres will have been logged. Sustain Kananaskis, a non-profit group based in Bragg Creek, is alarmed about the impact of this project.

Under the authority of Alberta Sustainable Resource Development, Spray Lakes Sawmill has been granted logging rights in this region. Part of the basis for these rights includes creating fire breaks for Bragg Creek itself. However the overall logging proposal, according to Sustain Kananaskis, has not been subjected to a comprehensive public consultation process. They also believe the logging will severely degrade the ecological integrity of this area along with the recreational opportunities afforded by the 100-plus kilometers of both existing and newly constructed trails that run through it. Sustain Kananaskis is consequently spearheading a movement to both bring this issue to a greater level of public scrutiny, and to influence the Province and Spray Lakes Sawmill to reconsider the methods and extent of the planned logging operations.

The Calgary Area Outdoor Council supports the efforts of Sustain Kananaskis to promote more public consultations for these planned logging operations. We therefore encourage all CAOC member organizations to contact Sustain Kananaskis to learn more and to express your comments and ask questions.

For more information visit the Sustain Kananaskis website at www.sustaink.ca or email info@sustaink.ca.

Save the Castle From Clear-Cut Logging!
By Diane Pachal, Sierra Club of Canada

In mid January, more than thirty local residents braved the cold to tell the government that they oppose clear-cut log in the Castle Special Management Area west of Pincher Creek, Alberta. The residents have a multitude of concerns, starting with logging should not be occurring in what the province designated as a Special Place protected area to “preserve Alberta’s natural heritage.”  Other concerns include the damage the logging will do to this popular recreation area, outdoor recreation-based businesses, the main water source for southern Alberta, and what the province zoned as Critical Wildlife and defined as crucial for maintenance of specific fish and wildlife populations. They are frustrated that the government is ignoring its own protected area decisions and citizen’s concerns.  They called on all other voters to phone and email Premier Redford and their local MLA to save their recreation area.

Protesters at the Logging Site 3

“I think it was clear ... that Spray Lake’s and SRD’s “social contract” for logging in the Castle has expired”, says Gordon Petersen, Beaver Mines Resident & President of the local Castle-Crown Wilderness Coalition. The heavy machinery is waiting on site until SLS and SRD figure out what to do with protesters that remain at the site.  “Unless enough voters speak out, their favourite recreation area is going to largely wind up in wood chips and fence posts,” says Petersen.  

Half of the mature forest in the popular recreation core of the Castle is slated for logging over the next three winters, with some clear-cut blocks stretching upwards of two miles long.  Spray Lake Sawmills plans on removing 4,737 trucks of logs; pending the low lumber market.  About 40% of the volume of logs will wind up as wood chips and fence posts.

Twisted history

In 1998 the Alberta government protected the Castle as one of 81 areas across the province under its Special Places 2000 policy. But the Castle, unlike the other 80, has yet to be legislated because SRD claimed they could use other tools to achieve the preservation and outdoor recreation goals stipulated in the Ministers’ decision.  In 2001, Alberta Environment and SRD issued a public document saying they couldn’t proceed with the final step in implementing the protected area decision until the province’s Ministers (Cabinet) decided what kind of park they were going to legislate it as. 

 “Since when does one government department, SRD, get to override a decision of Cabinet; one that was the result of years of public consultation?” asks Dianne Pachal of Sierra Club of Canada’s, Alberta Wild Program. 

At the general invitation of the Tourism, Recreation and Parks Minister, a local, consensus-based process of businesses, Shell Canada, ranchers, recreational groups and conservation groups solved the 2001 log-jam of what kind of legislation for the Castle; recommending in 2009 that it be legislated as a Wildland Park. In 2010, without public consultation on the location of the logging licence, Alberta Sustainable Resource Development (SRD) gave Spray Lake Sawmills (SLS) permission to clear-cut in the core of the Castle where all the campgrounds (Beavers Mines Lake, Castle Falls, Castle River Bridge and Lynx Creek) and Scouts Canada’s Camp Impeesa are located, and on the way to the Castle Mountain Resort. They expanded the logging license last year, again without public consultation, and signed off on the company’s detailed logging plan this past fall.

Over 75% want to protect the Castle as Wildland Park

Recent surveys show a large majority are against the logging and for a Wildland Park, irrespective of voting preference. Seventy-seven percent of residents adjacent the Castle, and 85% of Lethbridge residents oppose clear-cut logging in the Castle, while 74% and 87% respectively want to see it as a Wildland Park.
 “The government is ignoring the interests and concerns of the local communities in favour of the interests of a private company not even located in the region. This is an opportunity for the new Premier to show real leadership by halting this unwanted and ill-advised logging, and then providing permanent protection for the Castle by making it a Wildland Park,” says Petersen.

Petersen says that residents and business owners feel so strongly about the logging that they are vowing to continue the fight even if the first trees start to fall.

Take Action!

JOIN THE PROTEST

Follow signs to Castle Mountain Resort. West of Beaver Mines on #774, drive 1.7 kms past the Castle Special Management Area / Forestry entrance. On left hand side. (Coordinates 49.418126 N, 114.289171 W).

CAN’T COME? – HELP BY

Phoning & emailing Premier Redford 780 427-2251 or in Alberta free-call at 310-0000, premier@gov.ab.ca AND your MLA, find at http://streetkey.elections.ab.ca/

TO VOLUNTEER FOR A SHIFT ON SITE – CONTACT

• Peter Sherrington 403 627-3522 psherrin@telusplanet.net
• Carolyn Aspeslet at Castle Crown Wilderness Coalition office 9:30 am to 2:30 pm 403 627-5059 or evenings 403 628-3528, office@ccwc.ab.ca 
• Mike Judd 403 627-2949

REMEMBER

Carpool to the site. Dress warm (in layers); an outfitters tent is there to warm up in. Come self contained (snacks, lunch, water, etc).  Please remember that there are no facilities of any kind. Outhouses are further along the road at the Syncline x-country parking lot, or store with food & washrooms in Beaver Mines.

PLEDGE

To keep this a peaceful, lawful and respectful site.  Saving the Castle protected area & all there deserve that respect.

Castle River Valley – part of the area that is
going to be logged

Beaver Mines Lake in the Castle area
(Photo by Robert Pisko)

Impact of the logging

• 15 Sustainable Resource Development designated winter recreation trails and 12 summer trails (all totalling 58 km) will be logged over. 
• Clear-cuts will dominate the view along the access to Castle Mountain Resort and abut two Provincial Recreation Area campgrounds – Lynx Creek and Castle Falls.
• The clear-cuts will also stand out in the view at Beaver Mines Lake and Castle River Bridge campgrounds, as well as from two of the Castle's three staging-areas for backcountry trails, Scout Canada’s Camp Impeesa and many favoured random camping areas. There is a total of 237 campsites in the Provincial Recreation Areas.
• Some clearcuts stretch about 3.2 km (2 miles) long and taken together, will remove half of the mature forest in the public recreation core of the Castle. 

MRU and Prospect’s Outdoor Adventure
By Prospect Human Services Society

On October 15th and 16th, leaders from Mount Royal University collaborated with Prospect outdoor enthusiasts on a trip to remember.

Students from MRU’s Applied Bachelor Degree in Ecotourism and Outdoor Leadership recently earned course credit in a collaboration with Prospect’s PDD Services. 8 student leaders expanded their knowledge base on working with people with disabilities by getting to know our clients and then putting on an overnight camping trip.

Fourteen adults with developmental disabilities and Prospect staff joined the group in the Sibbald Flats area of Kananaskis Country, where they camped in tents and partook in numerous outdoor activities. Clients were taught skills and given leadership opportunities in geo-caching, team-building activities, canoeing and hiking. This experience challenged perceptions and encouraged personal growth among the leaders, clients and staff alike.

This trip illustrated what real collaboration is all about: two like-minded groups joining together, in this case, under the common interest of the outdoor recreation. Prospect’s Outdoor Pursuits Program has engaged in numerous other collaborations within the outdoor community including with YMCA Camp Chief Hector and helping the Weaselhead Preservation Society. Prospect also is equipped with knowledgeable, qualified and experienced Outdoor Pursuit staff, who can help support all types of outdoor events.

If you would like to explore different opportunities for outdoor collaborations with Prospect, please contact John Acheson at john.acheson@prospectnow.ca or 403-273-2822.

Be a Mentor in Motion
By Big Brothers Big Sisters of Calgary and Area

Do you enjoy hiking, biking, skiing or any other outdoor activity? The COP Recreation Mentoring program at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Calgary and Area could be the perfect volunteer opportunity for you. This unique program matches a young person called a “Little” with an adult mentor called a “Big” who is passionate about sports, health and wellness. They spend one-to-one time together for two to five hours a week doing recreation based activities of their choice. Volunteers in this program have the opportunity to share the activities they are passionate about with a young person or even learn a new one together. To facilitate access to recreation activities, matches receive all access passes to Winsport Canada Olympic Park to ski, snowboard or mountain bike including lessons and rentals.

Big Brother Mark and Little Brother Adam were matched in COP Recreation Mentoring three years ago. They’ve enjoyed nature walks, rock climbing, biking, geocaching, going to Winsport Canada Olympic Park and visiting the Source Terrain Park. “We have a lot of fun together and do as many activities as we can,” says Little Brother Adam. Big Brother Mark says, “The recreation and outdoor stuff really helps keep us excited and engaged with the program.”

Big Brother LaRy and Little Brother Jose are another match in the program who spend most of their weekly meetings together at Winsport Canada Olympic Park. Over the past two years, LaRy says his Little Brother Jose has, “learned to compromise, be open to new activities, lose his fear of heights and learned to ride a bike.” By doing activities together, Big Brother LaRy is making a difference in Jose’s life. Jose says he feels “awesome” after spending time with his Big Brother, and volunteers in the program share that they get just as much out of it as their Littles.

Start something this New Year. Make a donation of time or money to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Calgary and Area at www.bbbscalgary.com.

SMCC 2012 Race Calendar
By Alpine Club of Canada

Saturday 03 December 2011 – VERT 180

Kick off the ski mountaineering competition season with this hugely popular evening sprint/relay/enduro event at Canada Olympic Park. Try out your legs. Test that gear. Get up a team, or come get assigned and ski with some new friends. (National Team members typically attach themselves to some first timers, so they don’t sandbag the field). Info and registration here: http://vert180.blogspot.com/

Saturday/Sunday 11/12 February 2012 – DOGTOOTH DASH

These are Canada’s National Skimo Championships, featuring two days of racing for all classes and categories. Golden BC is the heartland of Canadian backcountry, and Kicking Horse Mountain Resort always puts on the highest profile event. Come party! http://www.kickinghorseresort.com/resort/events

Saturday 25 February 2012 – ROAM Randonnée Rally

An SMCC ranking event is always a central part of the annual Cold Smoke Powder Festival at Nelson, BC. Whitewater hosts. Expect a bigger field entering in this off-championship year. Info, as it becomes available, here: www.coldsmokepowderfest.com

Saturday 24 March 2012 – KEN JONES CLASSIC

Celebrating its namesake with big backcountry, this race rolls out of Lake Louise Ski Area and tours the heights. The Pro Patrol likes to show off their great terrain. Info TBA here: www.skilouise.com/things-to-do/events and www.alpineclubofcanada.ca/ccc/ismc/index

More – RED MOUNTAIN, SUNSHINE, USSMA

We’re still coordinating organizers and officials for possible races at Red (Rossland, BC), Sunshine (Banff, AB), and don’t forget our sister hoedowns south of the border on the USSMA Calendar. Make this winter a big one! Info TBA here: www.alpineclubofcanada.ca/ccc/ismc

TEAM

The Canadian National Ski Mountaineering Competition Team has been named for 2012. Selected based on interest, potential, and ranking over 2011 races, they are:

Reiner Thoni
Ian Gale
Peter Knight
Andrew McNab
Brad Schalles
James Minifie
Stano Faban
Steve Sellers
Alex Wigley
Niall Gleeson
Melanie Bernier
Billie Velisek
Julie Matteau
Martha Burley

Team training has already begun, with glacier sessions, outings to The Pass, and dryland work. Uniforms have been re-ordered - thanks to partners Rab and The Alpine Club of Canada. 2012 is an off-year for World Championships, but several team members are planning personal European visits for ISMF calendar events. Out-of-country Team efforts this winter will focus on the North American Ski Mountaineering Championships in Crested Butte, Colorado toward the end of January. Here in Canada, you can see the CraZy suits out at any domestic SMCC calendar event. Cheer them on – they’re already gunning for a spot on the 2013 ISMF World Championships team.

RESULTS

See the complete results and national ranking of athletes over the winter of 2011 here: www.alpineclubofcanada.ca/ccc/ismc

INSURANCE & MEMBERSHIP

The Alpine Club of Canada is the home of Ski Mountaineering Competition / Compétition de Ski Alpinisme Canada (SMCC), the national sport federation for skimo in this country. We coordinate the race calendar, record results, and keep athletes’ rankings, select national teams for International Ski Mountaineering Competition events, train and certify race officials, etc. Bring your membership card or number when you come to race. We provide liability coverage for the events on the SMCC calendar (hence the waivers and $5 dollar surcharge for non-member racers). You can join our bold group as a volunteer, as an athlete, as an organizer, a sponsor, or as a fan. If you’re racing, you can also register for the complete season at once. Contact Sheila Churchill 403 678 3200 ext. 108 or email OfficeManager@AlpineClubofCanada.ca to register, or ask questions.

LINKS

The Alpine Club of Canada (the skimo National Sport Federation for Canada) www.alpineclubofcanada.ca/ccc/ismc

The SMCC Site (needs updating, we’re holding the Domain name, and it will likely see action later this season) General information about the sport and how it works in this country www.skimocanada.org

The site of the International Ski Mountaineering Federation (what I just said...) http://ismf-ski.org

The Canadian Avalanche Foundation (they like to cross promote with our race events) www.avalanchefoundation.ca

Skintrack Site (Stano is the unofficial fount of skimo beta, rumour, and connections. He’s promising journalistic content this winter) www.skintrack.com

Ian’s Joint (Interior regional, articulate, active) Ian is a national team member and sets course for the Dogtooth Dash http://goldenskimo.wordpress.com

The USSMA site (the American relatives) Where to learn about their race calendar www.ussma.org

Alex’ blog (Coast regional, enthusiastic, great photos) Alex is a national team member and source of good equipment reviews http://skitheory.blogspot.com

www.mec.ca Our most generous and consistent event sponsor has always been Mountain Equipment Co-op. Good regional source for skimo gear.

Rab clothing and gear (they kit our National Skimo Team) http://us.rab.uk.com

SEE YOU AT THE RACES!

David Dornian
Ski Mountaineering Competition / Compétition de Ski Alpinisme Canada
THE ALPINE CLUB OF CANADA