A First Nation in northwestern Ontario took another step Monday in a fight to stop a provincial government plan to clear-cut about 50,000 hectares (about 125,000 acres) of forest located near the community’s traditional territory.
The Grassy Narrows First Nation (also know as Asubpeeschoseewagong) says logging in their traditional territory would add to mercury contamination that has plagued the community for decades.
The band filed an application for judicial review against both the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Ministry of the Environment.
The application challenges the Natural Resources Ministry’s 10-year logging plan that would see the clear-cutting in the Whiskey Jack Forest, as well as the Environment Ministry’s decision not to order a comprehensive review of that plan.
Chief Roger Fobister said the court action is necessary after Ontario turned down the First Nation’s request for an individual environmental assessment of the latest forest management plan.
Grassy Narrows members have maintained a blockade against logging trucks since Dec. 2, 2002.
I spoke by phone with Chief Fobister on Monday and asked him why the band was taking the action.
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