The Pew Charitable Trusts today released the following statement by Boreal conservation project manager Mathew Jacobson on plans by the Grand Council of the Cree Nation to protect from development more than 2.3 million acres of intact Boreal forests in Canada's Lake Evans and Broadback River Valley area. Under the plan, an additional 2.7 million acres would be placed in a special management zone with enhanced environmental protections devoted to conservation and sustainable, community-based, management of natural resources.
"The Grand Council of the Crees and the Cree Nations it serves have demonstrated outstanding and visionary leadership, both in their decision to protect Broadback River and the Lake Evans area, and in the inclusive process they used to reach this important decision. These intact forests on the Crees' traditional territory, which are critical habitat for woodland caribou, are threatened by large-scale forestry, mining, and energy development. They should be protected.
"We are hopeful that the government of Quebec will quickly join the Cree Nation by supporting this important initiative and granting this area equivalent protection under provincial law."