Grassy claims victory

Independent forestry audit finds many “non-conformances”

July 13, 2011

Jon Thompson

Miner and News

The leadership of Asubpeeschoseewagong First Nation (Grassy Narrows) feels warranted in its decade-long opposition to logging in its traditional territory following the release of a forest audit citing "significant issues with management" of the Whiskey Jack Forest.

Aimed at Abitibi-Consolidated Company of Canada, as well as the Kenora and Red Lake Districts of the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR), the KBM Consultants report for the 964,000 hectare forest produced 21 recommendations condemning "non-conformances to a law and/or policy" including tree cover and reforestation, as well as inaccurate and inadequate efforts in both planning and execution.

"Combined, these factors have led to a steady erosion of a conifer-dominated forest condition to one with significantly more mixed woods at reduced stocking," the audit reads. "Forest sustainability, as assessed through the Independent Forest Audit Process and Protocol will not be achieved unless corrective measures are immediately taken."

Grassy Narrows' deputy chief Randy Fobister said he wasn't surprised by the revelations in the report. He said the "not sufficient studies" on the land were evident to the naked eye for those driving on the back roads and that the report is proof the company and government cut corners in planning, cutting and planting.

"If you look towards our peaceful blockade, I think this justifies it," he said. "All we're doing is protecting the land. The trees can't protect themselves so the people who were on the land first, that's our job. It justifies it to us."

The audit team points out "fundamental differences" in the viewpoints of the ministry and the First Nation. It expresses the differences "cannot be resolved without the Province setting aside many of the requirements to manage the Whiskey Jack Forest" under existing legislation, further adding its belief that the "forest management planning process did not anticipate, nor was it designed to resolve the type of dispute currently being experienced . . ."

While three First Nations communities (Whitefish Bay, Wabauskang, and Wabaseemoong) have participated in the 2009-2012 plan for the Whiskey Jack, Grassy Narrows rejected invitations to the Contingency Plan Planning Team.

The First Nation is negotiating with the ministry on a "nation-to-nation" basis, according to both Fobister and the Minister of Natural Resources, Linda Jeffrey.

"For myself, I'm satisfied with the way (the audit) was done and where we are now," Fobister said. "We're working towards real planning."

Jeffrey was touring a sawmill near Wabauskang in the eastern Whiskey Jack on Tuesday when the audit was released. While she pointed out the government worked hard with AbitibiBowater before the company surrendered the forest licence to the crown in 2009, the management responsibility now lies with the ministry. While she claimed new forest practices have been undertaken since the transfer, she committed to taking the recommendations "very seriously," in the interest of economic development, jobs, and sustainability.

"Whenever you get an audit, it's kind of like a report card. There are times you like the results and sometimes you don't. I'm always looking for an 'A' when I get a report card. When some people manage the forest, they don't necessarily do it the way I want them to do it. It's my job to get everyone together."

Her ministry signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Grassy Narrows earlier this year and negotiations will resume on July 27.