Statement on the Highwood Bridge

Following our acquisition of West Fraser Cochrane in November 2023, we paused the 2024 harvest plan for the Highwood so we could discuss the Highwood River bridge with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) as well as meet with local stakeholder groups.

Based on stakeholder inputs and the DFO approval, we are now starting the remediation phase of the existing Highwood River bridge site which includes the bridge removal. Timing for the removal was selected to align with government policies to minimize impacts on fish. All remediation activities were reviewed and accepted by DFO. We forecast the installment of a new structure in its place by the summer of 2025.

We are engaging stakeholders to refine the draft harvest plan.  Further refinements will ensure environmental stewardship and maintenance of multiple forest management values such as fish habitat, water quality and recreation among others.  We continue our work on site assessments of watercourses for the establishment of appropriate buffers and crossing structures to protect water values, confirm existing trail locations and public use of the area.

Once our work with stakeholders is complete, our revised harvest plan will be available for public review during our Spring 2025 open house, in advance of a scheduled harvest for Fall 2025.