Dear editor,
I am responding to Mr. Bartlett’s letter posted in the June 15, 2023 edition of the Cochrane Eagle titled “Clear-cut logging will help mitigate fire risk in West Bragg Creek.”
True to its title, Mr. Bartlett argued that clear-cutting by Spray Lakes Sawmills will mitigate the risk of forest fires. My issue is not with that argument, although I wonder if the same benefits could be derived from some form of selective logging in the same area that would then retain some of the natural beauty that hikers in this area would benefit from?
My issue comes with Mr. Bartlett’s final statement: “I feel we should applaud and support Spray Lakes Sawmills for their continued commitment to the development of a fireguard for our wooded community.”
The fact is Spray Lake Sawmills has been granted permission to log in an area using the clear-cut harvesting method. They are also facing public push-back from people who are concerned about what clear-cutting will mean for the environment and for well used public nature trails.
I take issue with Mr. Barlett’s statement about Spray Lake Sawmills having altruistic motivations. They are not logging this area because they are concerned about public safety in the form of a fireguard. They are logging this area because of profit. Nothing more, nothing less.
To reference the record number of forest fires in Alberta and then suggest there is an altruistic reason for Spray Lake Sawmills’ clear-cutting activities is either a not so clever promotional attempt for Spray Lake Sawmills or an unfortunate choice of wording that could be considered a mischaracterization of the situation and/or misleading.
Dan Cunin
