James Norman

Representatives of the Alberta Newsprint Company (ANC) and West Fraser and Blue Ridge Lumber met locals during joint open houses in early May. The open houses were held in Whitecourt, Edson, Fox Creek and Swan Hills so region residents could learn about forestry operations plans for this year. “Plans are pretty much business as usual,” said James Norman, ANC fibre supply superintendent on Tuesday evening. “We’re cutting about the same amount we’ve cut in the last few years, about 400,000 cubic metres a year.” The purpose of the open houses from May 5 to 8 was for locals to see plans for harvesting, road development, reforestation and herbicide treatment, according to ANC. …Meanwhile, West Fraser stated that “Blue Ridge Lumber plans to layout roughly 1.1 million cubic m of timber.” West Fraser handouts stated the company plans to plant approximately eight million lodgepole pine, white spruce and black spruceseedlings in 2025, from mid-May to late July.