Green Light Given To Clear-Cut Logging In Grassy Narrows

Grassy Narrows First Nation says the province has ignored their voice and their concerns.
The community is outraged with a decision by the province to allow clear-cut logging on their traditional land.
The government has rejected the community’s request for an individual environmental assessment.
Chief Roger Fobister says he’s disheartened by the hurtful decision.
Fobister says they asked for the assessment almost a year ago and it seems their health and culture don’t matter to the government.
The community has been concerned that the logging will increase mercury levels in local fish.
Provincial officials say issues raised by the First Nation were extensively reviewed before the final decision was made.
They add conditions are in place under the forest management plan that will require monitoring to ensure logging complies with current requirements.
The province says logging will not start before March 31st and the nearest forest where clear-cut logging will take place is about 60-kilometres from the reserve.