Editor:
On June 4, Premier Redford wrote to the Honourable Diana McQueen: “Albertans have given this government a clear mandate to change how government works to better reflect their needs and the realities of the province in today’s world... Delivering that change will require listening to Albertans, increasing transparency and accountability, and building strong collaborative relationships with all our partners... Strategic decisions are needed to position Alberta for the future...”
Last night, a meeting was conducted by the Ministry of ESRD at the Bragg Creek Community Centre. The meeting followed considerable work by ESRD, Spray Lakes Sawmills and concerned citizens. I congratulate Diana McQueen for attending and I am appreciative of the considerable involvement of many citizens.
However, all should know:
A) K-Country west of Bragg Creek – Elbow Valley – Moose Mountain is not an ordinary stand of lodgepole and jack pine in the bush. It is an extraordinarily highly-frequented, year-around, recreational area. No one who uses the area wants it clearcut. Premier Redford and MLA Ron Casey should be aware of what is afoot at ESRD for it could prove politically close to home.
B) Spray Lakes Sawmills, a private company from 1943, desires to harvest the jewels of the trail system west of Bragg Creek on commercial terms not reflective of present day alternate-use valuation.
It is on record from last night that ESRD has not considered the recreational value, the economic spinoff there related and Bragg Creek real property value, all inextricably tied to the forests west of town; not your everyday bush. It would be malfeasance to proceed without evaluating regional economic drivers.
“Strategic decisions” should be quantitatively based on relative benefits. How else does government know “realities of the province in today’s world,” deliver “transparency and accountability” and prevent frustrating “collaborative relationships?”
C) FireSmart, really? I reside to the southwest of Bragg Creek, looking up at Boundary Ridge. The border to the municipality of Rocky View adjacent to the ridge is decidedly deciduous, presently bright with colour. The clear and present fire danger is municipal, not Kananaskis. FireSmart would be secondary egress from West Bragg Creek in the event of calamity.
Priscilla Goldmann,
Bragg Creek
