Council delays logging response

Techumseh Logging Update

Crowsnest Pass council held off on sending an advocacy letter about West Fraser’s proposed Mount Tecumseh logging plan and will wait for the company to present to council in July.

Councillor Colleen MacDonald brought forward concerns she said local residents have raised about the proposed work in the Mount Tecumseh area. The logging is part of West Fraser’s Community Hazardous Fuels Reduction Program.

The area is used for backcountry recreation and connects with the Crowsnest Nordic Ski Club trail system. Concerns raised by residents include potential effects on recreation, watershed values, snow retention, runoff timing and the broader landscape.

A draft council advocacy letter on the proposed Mount Tecumseh logging plan was presented for discussion. Council did not approve sending the letter.

Instead, council chose to review the concerns further when West Fraser appears before council on July 14.

The company has previously said the proposed Mount Tecumseh harvest plan covers about 474 hectares and is scheduled to begin in 2026. West Fraser has said the work is part of responsible forest management and is intended to consider wildfire risk, water, wildlife habitat, recreation, traditional use and cultural use.

Residents have pushed back on the proposal, saying Mount Tecumseh is not just a forested slope, but a heavily used recreation area and important headwaters landscape.

Council did not take a formal position on the draft letter at the May 26 meeting.

The issue is expected to return when West Fraser presents more information to council on July 14.

Public Comment Concerns

Residents raised concerns about public comments, tourism, logging noise, garbage and bear safety during the public input portion of the May 26 Crowsnest Pass council meeting.

Larry Ruzek spoke on behalf of the Ratepayers Association. He told council Carmen Roman is no longer president and said he is taking over some of the duties.

Henry Koopman also addressed council and raised several concerns.

Koopman said disrespectful comments made at a previous meeting required a formal apology. His comments followed remarks earlier in the meeting from Mayor Pat Rypien, who said she had received three phone calls from the public about what she described as a rude and insensitive comment made at another meeting.

Rypien said disagreement with someone’s views should not become dismissive after their death.

Koopman also raised concerns about tourism in the Crowsnest Pass. He said tourism is promoted locally, but there is a lack of accommodation for visitors.

Logging noise around Hillcrest was also raised. Koopman said fines related to the issue are too low.

He also called for large garbage bins to be placed in areas of the community, so garbage is not left out and does not attract bears.

Bear safe waste management was also discussed earlier in the meeting during councillor reports. Councillors who attended a bear management session said communities continue to face challenges around garbage, fruit trees, enforcement and the cost of bear resistant bins.

Councillor Dean Ward said Canmore’s experience showed garbage management can reduce bear deaths, but he also noted the cost would be significant. He said large bear resistant bins can cost $12,000 to $16,000 each, before considering collection equipment and service changes.

Council did not make a decision on garbage collection changes during public input.