10/16/2026
Look at the attached pictures and you will find that the Ministry of Forests has authorized clear cutting and mulching of these areas to begin next month, concluding by April of 2027.
these handouts were at the Grande Cache Rec committee meeting that was held this evening, Oct 15.
Funding provided by the Ministry will allow the local mill to harvest timber here as part of the Firesmart program.
The Firesmart program will also include clearcutting much of the Cowlick Creek valley stretching from A La Peche Lake to Victor Lake Coop and much of Mt. Louie.
Grande Mountain will also be subject to this.
The committee was informed that there would be a 15 metre buffer boundary between the trails and the clear cuts. We were also informed that there is no recourse to address the logging of these areas. Local concerns will not be considered. Logging boundaries do not indicate a buffer zone for the trails.
Obvious concerns
1. Provincially sanction trail networks that Grande Cache has developed and promoted as a tourist attractions will be destroyed.
2. This area is habitat for the Barred Owl, a species considered to be of special concern in Alberta that requires habitat protection.
3. Any firesmarting of our community needs to occur immediately adjacent to our community.
4. Mulched material itself is a fire hazard.
If you are concerned about this, please contact Tyler Shaw at [email protected] 780-712-0307 or Courtney Hughes at [email protected]. Both are with Alberta Forestry and Parks.
As this not part of the MD's jurisdiction, Greenview has had no say in the matter and the two councillors that I spoke with expressed dismay with the plan.
