Update January 24, 2012

Castle Logging Protesters Expect Alberta Sustainable Resource Development
Officers to Show up in Force on Tuesday Morning, January 24
[And they did on Tuesday morning.]

For 13 days citizens have braved the cold to protest against plans by Spray Lake Sawmills (SLS) to clearcut
log in the Castle area, southwest of Beaver Mines, Alberta.

Today, Monday January 23, a large number of Sustainable Resource Development (SRD) Officers and
SLS employees and contractors were seen meeting on a side road in Beaver Mines.

Late in the day, SRD officers arrived at the protest site to serve a “Trespasser Declaration” which says
that the tents that have been part of the protest are now “property of the Crown”.

Given the Trespasser Declaration and the large number of SRD and SLS staff and contractors in the area,
the protesters expect to be visited by SRD officers in the morning of Tuesday, January 24. Officers may
try to evict the protesters. It’s not known what time the officers might arrive, but it’s likely to be between
8:30 and 10:00 am.

The protest site is at the Corrals, approximately 1.7 km past the Castle Special Management Area (Forest
Reserve) Gate, on Hwy 774 driving towards the Castle Mountain Ski Area. (49.418126 N, 114.289171
W)

Background
Despite public opinion polls showing that more than three quarters of regional residents are opposed,
clear cut logging in the Castle Special Management area near Beaver Mines is about to begin. The
proposed logging will not only be detrimental to the watershed, wildlife, recreational opportunities, and
area wilderness-based businesses, but will be an eyesore to everyone that drives to the Castle Mountain
Ski area.

Experts on grizzly bears and watershed health have spoken out against the logging, citing irreversible
effects on ecosystem function and wildlife habitat quality.

Local wilderness-based businesses are concerned that the proposed logging will damage their business
opportunities.

Citizens are having a hard time understanding why, after thousands of opposition e-mails, five rallies and
protests across Southern Alberta, hundreds of letters and phone calls, and numerous meetings with
government officials, the government insists on proceeding with this unwanted and ill-advised logging.
Citizens are not convinced by SRD's economic or scientific justifications for the logging. Rather, it's
commonly believed that the real reasons for the clear cutting are 1. welfare logging, and 2. turf protection
on the part of SRD.

Local residents feel that SLS and Alberta Sustainable Resource Development have chosen a place to
begin logging that will act as a “poke in the eye” to the public.

For more information:
Stop Castle Logging Group— Peter Sherrington, 403 627 3522

Four days on Sat. Jan. 14th and counting, holding back the clear-cut logging in the Castle Special Place protected area. For more info on this businesses + residents+ outdoor enthusiasts+ conservation group action: Facebook "like" Stop Castle Logging; website www.savethecastle.org;  blog at www.stopcastlelogging.org and media release.

LOCATION:

Follow signs to Castle Mountain Resort, Alberta. West of Beaver Mines on #774, drive 1.7 kms past the Castle Special Management Area / Forestry entrance. On left hand side. (Coordinates 49.418126 N, 114.289171 W).

CAN’T COME? – HELP BY

Phoning & emailing Premier Alison Redford 310-0000, premier@gov.ab.ca   And if resident in Alberta, also phone & email your MLA, find at http://streetkey.elections.ab.ca/

TO VOLUNTEER FOR A SHIFT ON SITE:

Come anytime during daylight, Saturday, Jan 14.  For days after:

Phone Peter Sherrington 403 627-3522 psherrin@telusplanet.net; or Carolyn Aspeslet at Castle Crown Wilderness Coalition office 9:30 am to 2:30 pm 403 627-5059 or evenings 403 628-3528, office@ccwc.ab.ca or Mike Judd 403 627-2949.

REMEMBER IF COMING:

Car pool. Dress warm (layers); outfitters tent to warm-up in. Come self contained (snacks, lunch, water, etc).  Please remember that there are no facilities of any kind.  Outhouses are further along the road at the Syncline x-country parking lot, or store with food & washrooms in Beaver Mines.

PLEDGE:

To keep the camp a peaceful, lawful and respectful site.  Saving the Castle protected area & all there deserve that respect.