A community based effort has been launched to keep chain saws and other forestry equipment from clear-cutting the east side of Nellie Lake, in rural Iroquois Falls.
As part of its ten-year Abitibi River Forest Management Plan, the natural resources ministry is considering licencing a contractor to remove the trees.
Anya Cybolsky speaks for the Iroquois Falls Community Forest Committee. She says the cutting area would include the local snowmobile trail.
“It would be losing all of its tree cover and probably deter snowmobilers from using the area,” she states. “They would think why not go around where it’s nice and warm and there’s tree cover, the wind’s not whipping in our face.”
Other concerns of Iroquois Falls area residents and cottagers take in the nature trails; endangered flora and fauna in the area; and the effect on the aquifers from the marsh that feed the lake and regulate its water levels.
Cybolsky is very passionate about heading off the deforestation.
“We do have a cottage at the lake,” she explains. “It’s been in our family for five generations. I mean it’s a great place to be.”
To find out more, go to the Facebook group, “Save Nellie Lake Centennial Forest.”
