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Last winter the first of a three year logging plan began in the Castle Special Place. This was only the first of many cuts that will devastate the Lynx Creek and Castle Falls areas because of a logging licence that covers the area between Beaver Mines Lake, Castle Falls and Lynx Creek. WHAT IS AT RISK? Not only is this area critical as a water supply for the Oldman Basin, but it is also critical habitat and a popular recreation destination. This logging threatens: 7 Your water supply 7 The birds singing in the trees around you 7 The grizzly bears roaming these for- ests 7 The Cutthroat and Bull Trout swimming these streams 7 Ample recreational opportunities for you and your family 7 Long term vi- ability of local outdoor recreation and tourism busi- ness SPEAK OUT CASTLE SPECIAL PLACE WHAT IS HAPPENING? Under the approved forestry plan, 3,750 truckloads of timber from the heart of the Castle will be removed. This is only about 5% of Spray Lakes Sawmills allowable cut for 2010-2014. Of the trees logged surrounding you, 40% will be turned into garden mulch and fence posts and generate little economic benefit for the province or your community. AREN’T OUR FORESTS WORTH THE ALBERTA GOVERNMENT CLAIMS LOGGING: 7 Helps manage Pine beetle infestation - BUT, the Castle is classified as low risk of outbreak from the native Rocky Mountain Pine beetle 7 Helps suppress wildfire - BUT, all major fires in the Castle since 1936 have occurred in the most logged areas 7 Helps manage our wild lands - BUT, Waterton National Park has the same forest and faces the same management issues, yet clear-cut logging is not nec- essary there CONCERNED? YOU’RE NOT ALONE Public opinion polls from the communities of Lethbridge, Coaldale, Pincher Creek, Crowsnest Pass, and Fort McLeod show that close to 80% of residents oppose this logging and 74% want to see the area protected as a Wildland Park. The Premier has promised to listen to Albertans, so make sure she hears your voice! 3 To send an email to government go to www.cpawssouthernalberta.org/actions; to sign on to market actions go to www.albertafoothillsnetwork.org 3 Find us on Facebook at “Stop Castle Logging” and get involved 3 Call your MLA, Pat Stier, at 1-800-565-0962 and voice your concerns 3 Donate to legal costs and the cause at www.ccwc.ab.ca; select Donations, then click on Canada Helps logo and select "Stop Castle Logging" under Fund/ Designation 3 Send a letter to : Premier Alison Redford - Office of the Premier ESRD Minister Diana McQueen Room 307, Legislature Building Room 204, Legislature Building 10800-97 Ave. 10800-97 Ave. Edmonton, AB T5K 2B7 Edmonton, AB T5K 2B6
