Tensions linger over Castle wilderness logging

Retired fisheries biologist Lorne Fitch stands near the entrance to a logging area in the Castle wilderness area of southern Alberta. Fitch says the sediment from erosion caused by logging and logging roads is damaging the sensitive water drainage of the Castle wilderness area.

Photograph by: Gavin Young , Calgary Herald

Tensions linger over Castle wilderness logging
 
Part 1 of 3

By Colette Derworiz, Calgary Herald, October 22, 2012

BEAVER MINES, Alta. — Walking up to a logging road built to clearcut a stand of Lodgepole pine, retired fisheries biologist Lorne Fitch and other members of the Castle-Crown Wilderness Coalition receive an unusual welcome.

“Are you guys tree huggers?” yells a nearby rancher.

“No, we’re with Castle-Crown,” comes the response from the group.

The brief exchange shows the animosity over industrial development — in this case, forestry — in the Castle wilderness area, a watershed for dozens of downstream communities and a critical wildlife habitat that has been the subject of controversy for decades.

Earlier this month, the province halted logging in the area west of Beaver Mines after the current plan expires.

“We wouldn’t have any additional harvesting,” Diana McQueen, minister of Alberta’s Environment and Sustainable Resource Development, said in an interview last week.

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Protesters rally against logging - Castle

Dressed in a bear costume, Sean Nichols joins a protest 

Tuesday at the McDougall Centre against logging.

Photograph by: Grant Black, Calgary Herald, Calgary Herald

On Mar 18, 1998, the Castle wilderness was added to the list of Alberta’s ‘Special Places’. This program was an initiative to complete a network of protected areas to preserve the province's environmental diversity.

You’d never know that today, from the way this area is being treated. 

- Bow River Shuttles

Protesters rally against logging

Plea for Castle, Bragg Creek woodlands

By Clara Ho And Darcy Henton,

Calgary Herald

February 15, 2012

Protesters in Calgary and Edmonton rallied Tuesday afternoon, waving banners and making speeches, in hopes of halting logging projects in the Castle and Bragg Creek regions.

About 50 representatives from various environmental and wildlife groups gathered on the steps of the McDougall Centre in downtown Calgary, wielding signs that read "Don't Clear-Cut my Heart" while the Calgary Raging Grannies sang "God Save the Bears."

Blank Valentine cards were also distributed so attendees could write to Premier Alison Redford and let her know how much they love their forests.

Gordon Petersen with the Stop Castle Logging Group said he wants the province to reconsider logging in the southwestern Alberta region, even though construction on an access road has already begun.

"We're concerned about grizzly bears, westslope cutthroat trout, bull trout, recreation, tourism-based businesses. There's a whole number of things we're concerned about in the Castle, and logging is going to be detrimental to all those things," Petersen said, adding members of the public have sent thousands of letters and e-mails to the premier and to MLAs with their concerns.

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Stop Castle Logging

Art Works for Wild Spaces created this public art project in an attempt to protect trees from logging.  the sie is along Highway 774, four kilometres south of the area being logged in the Castle region. Photo, Courtesy Art Works for Wild Spaces

“Even the Art Works for Wild Spaces group, which ‘spotlights environmentally sensitive areas through art events,’ got involved with the case and wrapped several trees in the Castle region with colourful, handmade afghans in an act known as ‘yarn-bombing.’” - Calgary Herald

More photos from YarnBombing the Castle

Art Works for Wild Spaces

Logging protesters plan Sunday rally

Protestors opposed to logging in the Castle region are planning a rally Sunday from 2 to 4 pm at the entrance to the area, on Highway 774.  Photo courtesy, Gordon Petersen

A large rally is planned by the protesters for Sunday, January 22, starting at 2 pm. "Where it will be will depend on our legal advice," said Peter Sherrington. A decision on a location is expected tomorrow, and the Voice will inform people as the situation develops. Sherrington and Judd emphasized that anyone was welcome to attend, and musicians are invited to bring their instruments. "We're hoping to have a big crowd of people here," said Judd.

Story and photos here from Pincher Creek Voice

More information at 'Stop Castle Logging'