Reader concerned about wildlife in Castle Special Management Area

"Wildlife protection is HOLLOW in the Castle Special Management Area"

RJ Pisko photo

Dear Editor,

Any possible support of what Spray Lakes Sawmills is about to do in the Castle Special Management Area must be based on the assumption that Provincial requirements and guidelines are in place to protect other natural values while logging proceeds. For example, while the Calgary Herald lamented the "orphan child" status of the Castle, and the eminent danger of "slow death by a thousand cuts," its editorial writers appear reassured that logging would proceed "prudently."


Over the past several days I have looked as deeply into this assumption as possible. And I have to conclude that -- due to staff, budget and priority shortfalls -- Albertans cannot count on Provincial guidelines to offer meaningful protection for wildlife in this or any area proposed for logging.

Over the past few days, I have been in touch with a number of players, and have this to share:

1.      Spray Lakes Sawmills (SLS) isn't obligated to do much (any) original looking into wildlife and other natural phenomena at the logging site. Data have to come from SRD Fish & Wildlife.

2.      SRD Fish & Wildlife are to prepare and provide wildlife data to SLS and other operators.

3.      For many reasons Fish & Wildlife usually aren't able to provide much of anything regarding wildlife in areas to be logged. No budget direction, no staff, no time, no money, not a priority. Somebody in SRD might stumble across something; maybe a contractor on a related project reports something regarding a species or habits of concern; or an academic research project provides helpful data; or a local drops F&W a note … Nothing systematic, rigorous, or deliberate. What they know likely is good and accurate; but everyone concedes they don't know much.

4.      So far, nobody at SRD can recall any map or data set that shows bear dens in areas to be logged.

5.      It's what Fish and Wildlife doesn't know (and Spray Lakes doesn't care to know) that will destroy bears, other wildlife and other special ecological treasures.

6.      Fish & Wildlife are supposed to provide wildlife information to operators (and prospective operators) early in the planning and bidding process. Government feels it is unseemly to provide any information after the bidding and planning process has begun to move forward.

7.      Yes, considerations and actions allegedly "required" by SRD are impressive (based on my forestry and wildlife background). But if they are not implemented and monitored, they are meaningless.

8.      SRD Fish & Wildlife are down to ONE staff member in the Southern Rockies Area. Not long ago, Dr. Carita Bergman held down the same post with two additional staff. How can SRD expect Greg Hale to take on work that three SRD staff previously found overwhelming?

9.      NO fault lies with SRD staff on the ground. They do the best with what little they have. But their budgets have been cut repeatedly, in spite of increasing work loads. Can Minister Oberle explain this?

10.  Apparently, the Alberta government doesn't want to know what wildlife values might be at risk, because then it would have to do something to protect them.

11.    Bottom line:  while governing documents promise protection and create the illusion of responsible management on Crown lands, these documents generally are not worth the paper they are printed on. Many elements in Spray Lakes' "Operating Ground Rules" are false and empty promises. You can ask any Fish & Wildlife officer in the province. They simply cannot cover what is expected of them in these operating guidelines, any forest plan, or any other land management document.

I respectfully suggest you contact Darren Trapp and Jean Lussier of SRD's Forest Management Branch. Or Greg Hale at the Fish and Wildlife office in Pincher Creek (all contact information below). Of course, they will be constrained by the Minister's leash. But they might be willing to share something. Or at least confirm that they know nothing -- and were unable to provide anything -- to logging operators about bear dens or much else in the area to be logged.

Likely your readers would like to know.

Thanks for listening,
Jim Pissot

PS:  Yes, I have come late to this issue. Nearly a decade ago, BC grizzly biologist approached me regarding bear dens and winter logging in the boreal forest. I was unable to follow through at the time, but that recollection came to me in drowsy morning hours a couple of weeks ago. My fact sheet, letters to government and this email are the result. Likely these circumstances are not unusual in Alberta. And I feel they ought not be kept secret.

Darren Tapp
Executive Director, Forest Management Branch
Sustainable Resource Development
7th fl Great West Life Building
9920 - 108 Street
Edmonton, AB  T5K 2M4
Phone: 780 427-5324
Fax: 780 427-0085
E-mail: darren.tapp@gov.ab.ca

Jean Lussier
Senior Forester, Lands - Forest Operations
Sustainable Resource Development
8660 Bearspaw Dam Road NW
Calgary, AB  T3L 1S4
Phone: 403 297-8831
Fax: 403 297-8803
E-mail: jean.lussier@gov.ab.ca

Greg Hale
Senior Wildlife Biologist, South Rockies Area - Pincher Creek
Alberta SRD - Fish & Wildlife
Provincial Building
782 Main Street
Pincher Creek  AB  T0K 1W0
greg.hale@gov.ab.ca
Phone:  (403) 627-1155
Cell:  (403) 627-6486