Dear Editor,
The timber harvest that is proposed for the Highwood Junction causes me great concern. That junction is the gateway to the south end of Kananaskis Country.
The communities of Longview, Black Diamond, Turner Valley and Millarville post their communities as the Gateway to Kananaskis Country. Does anyone know what the timber harvesting will do to tourism trade that we need to make our communities a destination? There are a great many small independent businesses that rely on tourist dollars during the year.
The Highwood Junction is a critical wildlife corridor, a prime wild land for people that want to have a day outing or a multi day back country experience. The Highwood River and its tributaries are wild and free flowing and must be protected and cherished by all who enjoy the outdoors. It is easy to get to and best of all it is free for families to enjoy.
Traveling north from the Junction there are many day use areas, designated and undesignated trails and the Highwood Pass, Canada’s highest drivable, paved highway pass. A tourist’s destination.
The timber harvest slated to occur at the Highwood Junction will severely impact the quality and beauty of this special place.
Thank you, Peter Lougheed for your wisdom to protect this area for public use. I believe that the public has the priority to access and protect this Alberta gem.
My principal reasons to protest this harvest is the quality of that wild land. I love getting out there for a hike and our hikes are not just in the summer they are all four seasons. This area of Kananaskis Country allows me to see real nature. Just looking at the mountains of the East slopes of the Rocky Mountains is always a health benefit for me. Just laying on a blanket looking at all that wild land is inspiring. Another reason to go there is to listen to the silence. A moment of silence listening to the wind in the trees is awesome.
Finally a quote from Edward Abbey:
“The idea of wilderness needs no defense, it only needs defenders.”
Neil Williams
Black Diamond
