Spray Lakes logging in Ghost-Waiparous area mobilizes Bighorn residents

The view from WillowBalkwill'sproperty nearGhost-Waiparous west of Calgaryis breathtaking, but she is concerned what will happen when Spray Lakes Sawmillsbegins cutting down a three-kilometreblockstarting next month.

• Alberta NDP facing pressure to halt Spray Lakes Sawmills logging project
• Castle area logging halted by Alberta government
• Logging company faces opposition on two fronts

"It's too much at once, I wouldn't have a problem with them taking it off over 20 years," Balkwill said.

Some residents in the Municipal District of Bighornsay that logging is being accelerated in the areafrom two decades to two years.

They worry about the impact on the watershed thatdrains into the Bow River, and the impact on tourism.

Dave Richards has been an outfitter in the area for three decades.

"It's taking something away and we're never going to get that back in my lifetime, or probably my kids' lifetime.... It's heartbreaking to be quite frank," he said.

However, Spray Lake Sawmills saysthe work that will get underway next month is not an acceleration butwhat was approved under the previous provincial government.

"SLS is harvesting within the government-approved sustainable harvest level and is following the government-approved2007 harvest area sequence," said woodlands manager Ed Kulcsar in a statement.

He added the harvest levels will not "substantially affect water flow" and the company invests in extensive public engagement.

Residents are hoping a new NDP government will put the plan on hold until itcan be re-evaluated, which recently happened in the Castle Wilderness area.

They staged a protestSaturday morningat theintersection of Highway 1A and Highway 40.