NEWS RELEASE
January 28/92
FORESTS IN NITASSINAN (LABRADOR) MISMANAGED, EXPERT REPORT
SHOWS
(St. John's, Newfoundland) The Innu Nation released a report prepared
by its forestry consultant at a news conference today which showed
that the forests in Labrador have been poorly managed and the
provincial government has failed to meet its responsibilities. The
report, "Forest Management and Silvicultural Operations in
Forest Management Unit #19," was prepared by George Marek, a
registered professional forester well recognized for his knowledge
of black spruce ecosystems.
Among the report's findings:
"Forest management practices suggest little or no regard for
scientific forest management ... or other users or uses."
"Artificially regenerated sites, composed mainly of the non-
indigenous species of jack pine and larch, are of questionable
value."
"The Annual Allowable Cut ... seems extremely high and
unrealistic."
"Field observations also revealed poor protection of streams and
water bodies."
"None of the government or industry documents mentions ...
traditional hunting and trapping grounds."
The report presents 8 far-reaching recommendations in order to
redress many of the problems identified.
"The Innu people are more convinced than ever that they took the
right step in blocking the expansion of the forest road network
last September," said Daniel Ashini. "Not only has the provincial
government ignored that the forest in question belongs to the
Innu, it is not even ensuring that tree cutting will protect the
environment and regenerate the forest."
The government of Newfoundland is in violation of its own
Environmental Assessment Act; according to the act, no operations
can take place before the management plan undergoes environmental
assessment. "The government isn't even following its own legislation,"
Ashini said. "On this issue we have asked our legal counsel to look
into court action to make the government follow its own laws."
"We're ready to barricade the roads again to block these types of
forestry operations. What George Marek's report shows is that our
action makes sense not just for the Innu people, but for all those who
believe that forest management should be based on sound ecological
principles," said Ashini. "We want to protect our hunting, fishing and
gathering way of life for generations to come -- and for that we
will need a healthy forest."
For further information please contact Daniel Ashini at 709-497-
8390. For a copy of the report, please contact the Innu Nation Office.
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