Why protesters are blocking a clearcut in this Alberta forest

This is an outrage on our landscape. That was just a portion of a video taken by the defenders of the eastern slopes during a recent logging protest. For the past six weeks the group has been here trying to stop a plan to clear-cut parts of this forest. I'm here in Crows Nest Pass in southwest Alberta to find out what's happening. The old growth forest is what preserves the water. It regulates how fast the water comes down. And it prevents flooding. The province approved West Fraser's application for the harvest. These sections in red are the proposed clear-cut areas. They're on the eastern slopes of Mount Tecumseh, not far from the B.C. border. Mike Judd faced off against police last month. The RCMP were armed with a court injunction. West Fraser obtained it from a Calgary judge. It says no one can obstruct, interrupt or disturb the company's logging operations in the Allison Creek area. It gives police the power to arrest or remove anyone who contravenes it. We're, like I said, non-violent and peaceful. We're just here to occupy the land and slow down the progression of this clear-cut. Colin Smith is one of the people directly named in the order. The group set up camp six weeks ago, a mix of locals and First Nation members. Some stay overnight. It's a public recreation area and they're allowed to be here, but not here. These trees have been cleared for a new logging road and bridge over Allison Creek. West Fraser needs them to access the logging sites, but the work has stalled. The company declined an interview request, but in a statement said it's committed to undertaking the work to the highest environmental standards and in accordance with all regulatory requirements. It says a study it commissioned shows the harvest will have a minimal hydrological impact on the Allison Creek area and predicts relatively small changes in streamflow. The province says the logging plan is part of a program to keep communities safe from the risk of wildfire. And it says the Allison Creek region has been identified as a priority. Mostly focused on the spruce and pine, which is the most highly volatile. So that's done in order to help protect the community. If a wildfire comes along, that fire won't be able to move as fast or as high without that fuel on the landscape. Saying that it's going to be good for the communities. Fires and all that, it's not true. The group says it successfully turned West Fraser away four times, the latest on Friday. West Fraser says its crews were unable to access the site because of the protesters. The company has said it intends to start logging this fall and winter. What do you think of these logging plans? Tell us in the comments.