Calgary | Mohkínstsis
August 6, 2026

We recently wrote about the lack of charges in the case of the illegally built Highwood bridge, which was also covered by CBC. In this update we’ll be providing the latest information about the planned logging in Loomis Creek, which can only be accessed by crossing the Highwood River. 

Highwood set to be logged this winter

As it stands, the Highwood logging is planned to begin this winter, with Loomis Creek scheduled for the following winter, in 2027/28. While the first half of the plan has now been approved by DFO, the Loomis Creek part of the plan has not yet been approved.  

After years of studies, conversations, and public input the latest logging plans from West Fraser do have some positive changes. The overall area to be logged has been reduced from approximately 1,200 ha to 914 ha, a reduction of about 24%. These changes focus primarily on reducing logging in the most hydrologically sensitive areas. There have also been changes made to road layout and crossing structures. 

To assess the impacts of these changes, we commissioned an update to the ecohydrological study released in 2025, which documented a resident bull trout population reliant on the Loomis Creek watershed, and highly vulnerable to proposed logging. 

This update reviewed the latest forestry Annual Operating Plan (AOP) and an associated hydrological assessment. This addendum, now available in full here, found that “while the updated 2026 AOP presents meaningful improvements relative to the original AOP assessed in 2024, the updated AOP continues to present unresolved risks to bull trout critical habitat in the Loomis Creek watershed, particularly in the upper watershed where all documented spawning and YOY [Young of the Year – juvenile trout] rearing habitat occurs.” 

In light of these findings, we continue to call for the logging plan to be halted, and for this important area to be permanently protected. While in some cases and in some places mitigation measures and offsetting of habitat loss may be appropriate, for species at risk such as bull trout, and for locations as important and sensitive as Loomis Creek, it must be recognized that biodiversity protection and headwaters health is the priority. 

What’s next?

DFO issued its permit for the first part of the Highwood logging based in large part on the requirement for offsetting – that is, restoration works done elsewhere to “compensate” for the damage done by the logging operations, in the hope of achieving no net loss for the species. We recently wrote about how this is hugely risky, and how a national audit highlighted shortcomings in the approach. We’ll be providing more information about the offsetting projects that have been proposed in relation to the Highwood and Loomis Creek soon. 

We’ll also be conducting redd (breeding “nest” location) surveys again this fall and continuing our monitoring work. We’ll have updates on what we find available toward the end of September.  

With the forest still standing, no authorization from DFO for logging in Loomis Creek, and an ongoing judicial review, there is still every hope of protecting the Highwood. 

We are buoyed by the fact that after years of science, advocacy, awareness-building, and community engagement we are seeing some small steps in the right direction for Critical Habitat and at-risk bull trout.

Nevertheless, we continue to call for the Highwood logging to be cancelled and for permanent protection to be implemented. This will only happen through the collective efforts of Albertans who care about our fish, forests, and headwaters.

Josh Killeen
Conservation Science and Program Manager | CPAWS Southern Alberta