Log Haul - North Ram

[Don Andersen]

More info coming

Don

[Don_Parsons]

Yes, old growth forests and dead standing groups of trees as far as the eyes can see.

They have been logging alot along the South side of the South Saskatchewan River from Forestry Trunk road to the East side of Trout Creek.

These are small cut blocks compared to the the massive cut at Nordegg River road North West to the FTR.

We noticed the dead standing trees about 8 years ago when glasses from the mountains out there, these brown patches were deffinatly noticeable 5 years ago.

They are doing some oil and gas exploration up the Sun Pine and Ram Cut-across, lots of new well site pads on the Nordegg River Rd, the Wawa, Cordell, Swale,,, lots of trails and roads every where up there.

There are millions trout fray-lings in the Ram ponds along the river this year, pretty good to see that many of them.

Lots of Bear's, Wolves, and the odd Cougars.

Year 47 in that pocket, the fellows from Sherbrook are up there this year tagging and recording the Mountain sheep this year. 1 large 1 small Ram, about 44 Euws. The old catch pen is back in use.

We've been in and out of there since last year, forestry is building a new camp sites, there fixing up the Meadows Road / Back side Rocky to Nordegg cut-across road.
They might complete most of it by next year, it's tuff going back there.

There some Narrly bush on the West side of the FTR that might need some clipping.

Forestry did the Waby-abby and Hummingbird Bird burns a few weeks ago. Lots of dead standing trees in those pockets to.

Those beetles sure hung a lick'en on the trees in that area, much like the Chungo, Grade Cash, Kakwa, Ruby Falls Valley looks ok, the odd spots in there that might need some attention.

Hope they can get ahead of the die off, but I think the beetle got ahead of them this time.

[Deep]

The curse of milder winters....

[Don Andersen]

Log Haul Plan for Sundre Forest Products in the North Ram Area.

The comments below were provided by the company.

The Haul on the North Fork Road will commence on July 3rd.

One contractor, Erickson, will begin hauling from Km 49, travelling east to the mainline. Erickson’s will be hauling on the North Fork all summer from Km 49 and 47 and will move to the Gap mainline this Fall. We plan to have only one contractor on this portion of the North Fork (Km 42 – 56) for the summer so traffic will not be too heavy. Trucks are instructed to drive as if there is a vehicle around every corner. We completed line of site clearing last fall and have plans to upgrade the road over the summer for the winter log haul. This will involve shaping and grading as well as gravelling.

Another contractor, Darcar, will begin hauling from the Trout and will travel the north fork between km 42 and 41 then down the mainline so will not add much to the traffic.

Robill contracting will begin hauling on the lower portion of the mainline mid August coming out at Km 18.5 and travelling south to Hwy 752.

We do have right of way salvage from the road we are developing in the Ram Triangle, this wood will move sporadically over the summer months but should not add significantly to the traffic.

We plan on occupying the new camp at km 61 temporarily with planters come July. The permanent camp will not be established until October.

We expect the loghaul to be busy in the winter months, starting in November.



Folks in addition to the companies comments above:

Sundre Forest Products is installing a log yard and camp facility near kilometre 61 on the North Fork Road. This facility is needed due to forest operations in the Ram Triangle. While it was not Sundre Forest Product preferred location which was south of the bridge at kilometer 61, the Govt required they locate at the present spot.

Regards,

Don