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New fire department recruits - Page 2 ELKFORD
Jemi Fibre’s cutting discussed- Page 23 SPARWOOD
The Wild Wally Women were one of 10 teams that participated in the 2015 Elk Valley Relay for Life. This year’s theme was Mardi Gras. For the full story and more photos turn to page 19. Photo by S. Kucharski
Bennett addresses Elkford’s clear cutting concerns Spardell variance permit - Page 24
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Fernie 3 race quickly approaching - Page 21
By Katelyn Dingman Free Press Staff
M
LA Bill Bennett was invited to the Elkford Lamplighter Pub on Wednesday, June 17 to discuss several issues, including Jemi Fibre’s cutting near Josephine Falls. The meeting, hosted by the Elkford Chamber of Commerce, invited locals, councillors and District
of Elkford Mayor Dean McKerracher to bring forward their concerns, many of which were addressed by Bennett. Highlighted concerns included the amount of land that was clear cut near Josephine Falls, the lack of cleanup following the clear cutting and the way the trail system was poorly treated during the logging process. “Our main concern of course is Josephine Falls and
the trail system in there and the way that they’ve been logging it,” McKerracher said of Jemi Fibre’s logging practices. “They clear cut up there pretty bad and left a pretty good mess.” Bennett acknowledged the public’s concerns, noting that the company “came with a bad reputation.” “I was warned about them by people who live in the Fernie area. Dean [McKerracher] called me
and let me know that I should be paying attention and looking into their business practices,” Bennett added. The local MLA, however, noted that Jemi Fibre Corp. must abide by the Private Managed Forest Land Act (PMFLA), which requires them to adhere to certain standards. “It’s a way of encouraging people who own private land with forest on it to
manage it the same way we manage Crown land,” Bennett explained. “I can’t speak to what they did here around Elkford but I can tell you that there are ways to control them, one is through the Private Managed Forest Land Council.” By being a part of that association, Jemi Fibre Corp. is eligible for a series of tax breaks.
Continued on page 23
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