PREMIER OF ALBERTA
January 31, 2008
Dear V.P.
Thank you for your comments about Kananaskis Country.
The Alberta government recognizes that Kananaskis Country is important to Albenans. Activities in Kananaskis Country are managed by a plan that allows logging and other uses, such as hiking, camping and fishing. These activities have existed together since the early 19OOs and many of the great trails for biking and hiking in Kananaskis have been created from timber harvesting.
In Alberta, forests cover about 35.2 million hectares of publicly owned land. Forestry companies have strict guidelines on how to manage the forest on public lands and must follow the Forest Management Planning Standard when developing a forest plan in order to ensure the forests continue to provide clean water, shelter and food for animals, and a place for people to enjoy. As well, Alberta's forests are one of the province's most important resources and they provide many benefits to our society. For additional information, you may want to visit the Ministry of Sustainable Resource Development's website to see the Forest Management Planning Standard at http:www.srd.alberta.ca/forests.
Thank you again for writing. I encourage you to continue to share your views with the Alberta government on how the province's vast landscapes are managed.
Sincerely yours,
Ed Stelmach
ES/hp
cc: Honourable Ted Morton Minister of Sustainable Resource Development MLA, Foothills-Rocky View
Honourable Hector Goudreau Minister of Tourism, Parks, Recreation and Culture
Office of the Premier, Legislulure Building, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T5K 2B6 Telephone (780)427-2251 Fax (780)427-1349