1 week Ago By Bill Kaufmann
Timber harvester West Fraser said the open house Wednesday that drew a large crowd was to allay fears over its plans to clear-cut in a popular recreational area near Bragg Creek, and to collect input on how it’ll be done. But for some who came to question company staffers, most clad in green golf shirts and hovering over maps of the targeted areas, the event at the Cochrane RancheHouse left more questions and concerns. “There’s an opportunity for the company to get it right but (they) view it as a checkmark they have to do in order to harvest and smooth over those concerns until people realize they were legitimate,” said Shaun Peter with Bragg Creek & Kananaskis Outdoor Recreation.
Minutes earlier, Peter and other logging critics queried West Fraser Alberta chief forester Richard Briand about how the company will go about logging two areas west of Bragg Creek, starting in about 21⁄2 years. He told Briand the company should follow the lead of other industrial users who have rights in the area but have chosen not to exercise them due to social and environmental pressures. He suggested West Fraser ask the provincial government to buy out their logging rights to the area to preserve it.
“For you to come with us to the government would be a way for all of us to win,” Peter told Briand, who was noncommittal. Said Briand: “I appreciate your passion ..
. I’m glad you came.” Starting in the fall of 2026, logging company West Fraser plans on clear-cutting in parcels .
