An environmental group claims the Ministry of Natural Resources are allowing forest companies to clear cut beyond the legal limit in some parts of Ontario.
Conservation group Earthroots claims in some areas the ministry has approved cuts that are 40 times the legal limit of 260 hectares.
Assisted by the Sierra Legal Defense Fund, the group plans to file a formal complaint to the Ontario Environment Commissioner Gord Miller under the Environmental Bill of Rights. Earthroots points to areas such as the Gordon Cousens Forest Management Plan near Timmins where primary leaseholder Tembec Inc. reportedly received ministry approval for clear cuts of up to 10,257 hectares.
MNR officials insist over-sized clear cuts are permitted by a directive to mimic natural forest disturbances caused by burns and blowdowns.
