ST JOHN’S, N.L./TRADITIONAL TERRITORY OF THE BEOTHUK AND MI’KMAQ — Citizens Against Clearcutting (CAC), a grassroots community group, will be heading back to court to overturn a lower court ruling they say allows the Province to ignore community concerns about clearcutting large swaths of ecologically sensitive areas in and around the Town of Port Blandford.
In November 2024, Ecojustice, on behalf of CAC took the Newfoundland and Labrador (NL) government to court over its Crown Zone 2 Forestry Operating Plan. In January 2025, the lower court dismissed the case and allowed the Province to disregard the overwhelming public concern because it fell outside the environmental assessment process.
Since clearcutting was first approved in 2017, CAC has consistently sounded the alarm about clearcutting in and around the community, including hosting public meetings, sending letters to ministers, and tabling petitions in the House of Assembly.
The approved clearcutting covers approximately 11 square kilometers in the Southwest River Valley — a vital area for wildlife, eco-tourism, and community well-being. Local wildlife, including at-risk species like Newfoundland Pine Marten, Woodland Caribou and Red Crossbill, face habitat destruction. Salmon habitats and watershed areas are also at risk, threatening downstream water quality.
Allan Hann, Citizens Against Clearcutting said:
“For a decade our community has been saying no to clearcutting in and around Port Blandford. Deforestation would devastate our thriving eco-tourism industry, decrease residents’ quality of life, and hurt local ecosystems and wildlife.
“We are heading back to court because our concerns deserve to be heard and considered.”
Sarah McDonald, Ecojustice lawyer said:
“We’ve appealed this case on behalf of CAC because the lower court missed the mark with its decision, which facilitates the Province’s continued practice of excluding community concerns expressed outside of the formal environmental assessment process. Instead of reinforcing barriers like the lower court has done, we should be making the environmental assessment process more responsive and accessible for the local communities most impacted by decisions and projects.
“CAC has voiced concern for years; it’s time that government decisions affecting the environment and peoples’ livelihoods are made with local communities in mind.”
Background
Decision (January 2025): Citizens Against ClearCutting v. Newfoundland and Labrador
