When Provincial Parks nominated Main River for Heritage Status they had initially proposed to preserve a large portion of the watershed for current and future generations to enjoy. Our forests have been mismanaged so poorly in the past that both the Paper Companies and our own Provincial Government now acknowledge publicly that there is currently a wood supply deficit in Newfoundland that is expected to last for the next twenty years or so. Most recent National Surveys all conclude, that when in comes to protecting our Natural Environment, the Province of Newfoundland has a very poor record. Our sources tell us that 22 mechanical harvesters have been put on notice by CBPP to get ready to move into Main River, as early as April and May of this year. While Main River remains a renowned Atlantic salmon river, the truth is, according to DFO this river has not even met minimal spawning targets for much of the last decade.
Research shows that clear cutting greatly impacts both fish and fish habitat.
The proposed corridor to be left along the main stem of Main River does not apply to any of the tributaries of this river, where most of the critically sensitive spawning areas are located. For various reasons no cutting has taken place in this area to date, even though a number of roads have been built by the company to access wood from this area. A lot of things have changed since 1986. At the very least, given the recent public opposition to cutting plans for this area, the EIS should be repeated. In addition to the current amendment and proposed cutting plans for the lower part of the Main River Watershed, CBPP have been given a green light to start harvesting in the upper portion of this watershed and they have full intentions of proceeding with those-harvesting plans first thing this spring.