Hi Kevin/Miranda. I am writing you both regarding my concern for the ever-creeping SBW infestation into our community. Just 2 days ago I was outside the Bragg Creek Shopping Center when a friend and I observed an infestation of SBW in the surrounding spruce trees. Needless to say, myself and many others in the greater Bragg Creek area are concerned by the devastation that will be caused by this infestation!
It goes without saying that, left unchecked, this infestation will potentially destroy the beauty of Bragg Creek and, in addition, increase the overall forest fire hazard to our community and surrounding areas (remember the Slave Lake fire a few years ago!). Needless to say, if this happens it will literally devastate the area both from a property value standpoint and also severely negatively impact tourism in the area; both of which are large contributors to Rocky View County’s tax coffers!
In my opinion, the financial resources required to aggressively fight this blight should be provincially and/or municipally funded. This is as much as a wildfire fire- prevention issue as it is a community/ property value preservation issue! As such, this issue needs to be given the highest level of urgency and priority by the County and the Province.
There are those that will say that they are opposed to spraying; however, we cannot let the actions of a few (vocal) science- deniers detract us from has been proven to be an effective and safe way of dealing with this most serious issue. As an aside, it is my understanding that Redwood Meadows has recently been spraying to stop the infestation of SBW in its community.
It is requested of you that you immediately apprise the citizens of Bragg Creek and surrounding areas of the Province/ County’s plans for aggressively dealing with this most urgent situation. Failure by the Provincial and Municipal governments to aggressively and decisively address this matter will most certainly be remembered and acted upon in the next upcoming provincial/municipal election cycles.
Michael Shea
Bragg Creek, Alberta
