The south entrance to Kananaskis along the Highwood River is a provincial jewel that should be protected.
The Province should rethink plans by Balcaen Consolidated Contracting Ltd. to log in the Highwood Junction area starting next year.
The area is highly valued, both by recreational users and by logging firms who have approval from the Province to remove trees in the area. The Highwood Junction area is cherished for its pristine natural setting and unparalleled views, not to mention it is considerably less busy compared to Alberta’s other mountain parks. Logging the area could endanger everything Albertans value about this area for decades to come.
Ground rules set by the Province state impacts should be limited near sensitive areas, such as those adjacent to recreational sites and highways and major travel corridors. The Highwood Junction area fits the bill. Logging plans for Highwood Junction area don’t accomplish this goal.
Logging is important for managing and renewing forests. It is a valuable industry in the province and should be allowed to proceed. It needs to be managed to keep impacts on other users of the land, as well as on nature, to a minimum.
There needs to be a better balance to protect the landscape, encourage recreational use of the area, while allowing logging to proceed in a responsible manner.
