Dear editor:
Clear-cut forestry in the eastern slopes is risky and shortsighted.
In this mostly sub-alpine zone, trees take a long time to mature. Clear-cutting trees of all ages at one time decimates the forest and the benefits it provides.
Forests mitigate floods. Intact forest systems absorb water in spring, releasing it slowly through the year. Forests and its wetlands are natural sponges, ensuring adequate water for communities downstream, including agriculture east of Calgary.
Cities such as New York, Portland and Vancouver have learned that managing watersheds is crucial. This should be easy for Calgary. The eastern slopes are mostly Crown land managed by the province. Yet our eastern slopes brace for more clear-cut forestry.
We must insist that elected leaders and appointed officials do their job – providing effective watershed management.
Clear-cutting is too risky. We need water in the right amounts to survive. We cannot afford to play with that.
Patti Lott
