West Fraser defends Tecumseh harvest plan
West Fraser says its proposed Mount Tecumseh Harvest Plan would cover 474 hectares and is scheduled to begin in 2026, with the company stating the work is part of a broader approach to sustainable forest management and wildfire risk reduction near communities.
In an emailed response to the Crowsnest Pass Herald, Joyce Wagenaar, director of communications for West Fraser, said harvest planning is a key part of the company’s work and allows it to source timber for renewable wood products used in home construction and other purposes.
“Harvesting plans are a key component of our work at West Fraser enabling us to responsibly source timber to produce renewable wood products to support home construction and other uses,” Wagenaar said.
She said West Fraser views sustainable forest management as an approach that balances environmental, social and economic values over multiple generations. According to the company, that planning process includes consideration of water, wildlife habitat, recreation, wildfire risks, traditional use and cultural use.
“We are bringing this approach to the proposed Mount Tecumseh harvest plan, which involves an area of 474 hectares,” Wagenaar said. “That proposed work is scheduled to start in 2026.”
The proposed harvest has drawn public attention in the Crowsnest Pass and Tecumseh areas, where residents and recreation users have raised concerns about the potential impact on trails, views, watershed values, wildlife habitat and the long-term character of the area.
Wagenaar said West Fraser is committed to meeting environmental standards and regulatory requirements. She said the Government of Alberta sets the standards and approves forest management activities on public land in the province.
She also said the provincial Community Hazardous Fuels Reduction Program is part of the context for the proposal.
“Through the provincial government’s Community Hazardous Fuels Reduction Program, Alberta has established clear goals on the reduction of wildfire risk near communities and has directed the forest industry to prioritize forest management activities in line with these objectives,” Wagenaar said. “Harvest planning in the Mount Tecumseh area is a part of this program.”
Wagenaar said questions specifically about the provincial program would be best answered by the Government of Alberta.
The company said community consultation has been an important part of the planning process. Wagenaar said West Fraser works to ensure people who live, work or recreate near its operations have opportunities to provide input.
“At West Fraser, there is a strong focus on community consultation,” she said. “This is why as part of our commitment to sustainable forest management, we work to ensure that people who live, work, or recreate near our operations have opportunities to give their input on our plans.”
According to Wagenaar, West Fraser has used open houses, field visits and direct dialogue with trail groups, Indigenous Nations and other stakeholders to gather feedback. She said public input can affect planning decisions, including modifications to harvest plans and efforts to protect recreation values.
Wagenaar said West Fraser has engaged with local stakeholders from the Crowsnest Pass and Tecumseh areas on the proposed Mount Tecumseh harvest.
“Feedback received through this process was carefully considered and has helped inform plan development; including incorporating comments related to recreational use, visual quality and aesthetics, watershed values, forest retention levels and unique features and conditions,” Wagenaar said.
The company did not provide answers to questions about the potential release of a third-party hydrology report, specific conclusions about impacts to Allison Chinook Lake, or whether the company would consider delaying or reducing the scale of the plan based on public concerns.
Wagenaar said West Fraser applies best management practices to protect water quality and said the company often exceeds regulatory requirements. She said the company monitors conditions before and after harvesting and works with outside experts.
“As part of our planning, we monitor conditions before and after harvest to help inform responsible stewardship,” Wagenaar said. “We apply rigorous best management practices to safeguard water quality, often exceeding regulatory requirements.”
She said West Fraser also collaborates with universities, research institutes, forest hydrologists and non-governmental organizations to guide decisions using current science and research.
The Mount Tecumseh proposal remains a point of local concern for residents who support wildfire mitigation but worry about the scale, timing and potential impacts of harvesting in an accessible recreation landscape.
West Fraser said the plan continues to be shaped by stakeholder feedback, provincial requirements and environmental considerations as work is scheduled to begin in 2026.