Richard Froese
South Peace News
Harvesting plans for three forestry companies operating in the High Prairie and Slave Lake regions were presented June 5 at a joint open house at the High Prairie Legion.
Plans were displayed by West Fraser Timber that operates High Prairie Forest Products, Tolko and by Millar Western Forest Products that purchased Slave Lake Pulp Mill from West Fraser in April 2024.
Companies hosted the event to allow citizens to comment on the proposed plans.
Plans for harvesting trees are getting back on track for the three companies after extensive wildfires in the spring and summer 2023 destroyed countless trees.
Tolko woodlands operations supervisor Jacob Couture says the company plans to return to its harvesting plans.
“We plan to do green harvest operations in the Sweathouse area south of Snipe Lake,” Couture says.
“We also plan operations in the Salt Prairie area north of High Prairie.”
Tolko does not plan any salvaging operations this year.
“None of our areas currently have wild- fires,” Couture says.
He notes the High Prairie plant has been shut down in June for annual maintenance and capital upgrades.
Harvesting plans are on track for High Prairie Forest Products.
“We’re looking to a regular harvest this year,” planning forester Brianne Filgate says.
“We’re going to be all over the place, from north of Red Earth Creek, south to the Swan Hills area, east to Wabasca and west to the Peace River area.”
However, that could be affected by wildfires.
“Plans may change, due to wildfires in the area,” Filgate says.
West Fraser conducts salvage logging, she notes.
“Once fires are under control, we will do an area assessment for our salvage harvesting plans,” Filgate says.
Millar Western is hoping to get back in service at its Slave Lake plant in the next few weeks, woodlands manager Jeff Blocka says.
“Our mill production has been temporarily shut down since May 16 as a result of poor economic conditions,” Blocka says. “We will start again July 2.”
Harvesting is planned in various areas.
“We plan on logging in the Driftpile area, House Mountain, and around Assineau and Canyon Creek,” Blocka says.
The company also considers logging in the area south of High Prairie in the Banana Belt and East Prairie Metis Settlement area that were burnt in 2023, he adds.
All proposed harvesting plans must be approved by Alberta Forestry and Parks.
