Main River

PRESERVING YOUR NATURAL HERITAGE IS OUR "MAIN RIVER" OBJECTIVE

SAEN was part of the Main River coaliation to place a halt on clear cut longing in this very valuable and prestine area of our province.

A few facts about Main River and the intent of Corner Brook Pulp and Paper

Main River (or Sops Arm River) which flows into White Bay is one of only two remaining watersheds throughout the entire Island of Newfoundland that has not yet been harvested for pulpwood.

The Main River watershed remains relatively inaccessible and as a result very little development of any kind has occurred along its course making it one of the most pristine watersheds still remaining in Newfoundland (if not the ost pristine).

In 1991 the Provincial Parks Division nominated Main River for "Heritage Status". Main River has many unique eological and biological features; such has its old growth forest. Recent research indicates that trees in this area are very slow growing. For example: it has been discovered that trees 4 inches in diameter are 130 years old and trees 8 inches in diameter are 230 years old!

Research ongoing in this area indicates that this old growth forest is also home to an isolated population of Pine Martin, which are currently a "Threatened Species" in Newfoundland.

The headwaters of Main River and the Humber River are directly adjacent to Gros Morne National Park and in some nstances actually drain from Gros Morne. This entire area has an abundance of wildlife, which will likely be drastically affected by cutting plans in this area (i.e.: Caribou, Canada, Geese, Raptors, Harlequin Ducks, etc.). Most of the Upper Humber watershed has already been clear-cut during the last few years.

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. However, Corner Brook Pulp and Paper (CBPP) who own the timber rights in this area would not agree. CBPP would only agree to maintain a very narrow corridor along the main stem of the river for aesthetic purposes (basically meaning that if you actually stood in the river itself, you would not necessarily see a clear-cut on either side of the river, but beyond this, all other areas will eventually be clear-cut).

Of all the merchantable timber that was once available throughout Newfoundland less then 5% of this virgin timber remains to be harvested.

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.

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.

CBPP first proposed to start harvesting in the Main River area back in 1986 at which time they were required to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). 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. A fourteen-year-old EIS should no longer be considered adequate in light of recent information about this area and plans to have this area designated for Heritage Status. 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.

Local Economic and Tourism Associations all agree that Main River has very high Tourism and Recreational potential.

Back to Top

Back to Projects