Parks to remove dangerous trees

Parks Canada proposes to chop down thousands of trees deemed to be hazardous in campgrounds on Tunnel Mountain and at Two Jack Lake in a bid to prevent them falling on people or property.

A contractor hired to assess the condition of trees in the campgrounds last September marked 7,294 trees for removal, but, shocked by the results, the federal agency is taking a second look at the trees.

Officials say the forests in the campgrounds are mainly mature lodgepole pine trees that are highly susceptible to coming down or breaking in a wind storm, mainly due to their age, insects or disease.

“Parks Canada staff questioned the initial results and crews are doing a reassessment, but it will still be potentially a few thousand trees,” said Percy Woods, a spokesman for Banff’s fire and vegetation management section.

“The thinking behind this proposal is to be proactive in removing trees that pose a hazard to public safety in the campgrounds.”

The environmental assessment for the proposed removal of trees is currently out for public review. The deadline for public feedback is Friday, Feb. 10.

If Parks Canada signs off on the environmental assessment, and if the superintendent gives the green light to the project, the work is expected to start mid to late February.