Oldman Watershed Council (OWC)

The view looks south into the headwaters of Giardi Creek, and toward the flanks of the Flathead Range. Photos by David McIntyre

Here are a couple of links to the latest controversy in the Oldman Watershed — the logging operation currently being conducted this winter in the Star Creek watershed. The actual logging area is small
(see below) but it takes place in an important and endangered fish habitat area.



http://calgaryherald.com/news/local-news/controversial-logging-project-near-crowsnest-goes-ahead

http://lethbridgeherald.com/news/local-news/2015/01/14/logging-project-raises-concerns/

AERSD has assured the public that all the requirements applying to timber harvesting are and will be
respected and all the safeguards to protect fish and wildlife under the Species at Risk Act will be observed.

The view looks north across the Crowsnest River valley to the ramparts of Crowsnest Mountain, partially obscured by cloud cover. The snow-covered patches of land on the flanks of Crowsnest Mountain define some of the clear-cut logging that's taken place in the Allison Creek valley within recent years.

The pictured bridge spans Giardi Creek, home to pure-strain westslope cutthroat trout. When this picture was taken, muddy water was flowing onto the bridge from both directions, cascading through the open decking and entering Giardi Creek. Also within this same picture, the bend in the creek was created by a west-to-east ATV route—it parallels the haul road. The creek—the view looks downstream—follows the ATV-excavated scar for several meters before reentering (far left) its former channel.

A breach in the Star Creek haul road's meager berm allows muddy water to flow down into Giardi Creek, about 20 meters distant.

However, the Lethbridge Herald article refers to reports that some transgressions have already occurred. Can anybody with first-hand knowledge of what is actually going on?

Furthermore, for the next full week, January 19 - January 23, 2015, the forecast is calling for above freezing temperatures in the Crowsnest.  Timber harvesting regulations call for activities to be suspended if the ground is soft and vulnerable to damage from forestry equipment. Does anybody know if there are plans to halt logging operations this coming week?

Elspeth Nickle