An environmental group who challenged in the courts the provincial government’s approval of clearcutting in eastern Newfoundland has failed to convince the judges.

The plan in question covers the geographic area from Long Harbour River, Northwest River, and Terra Nova National Park in the west to Come by Chance in the east.

The Citizens Against Clearcutting argued before the Court of Appeal of Newfoundland and Labrador that the minister’s approval of clearcutting in Port Blandford and nearby Southwest River Valley was unreasonable because he failed to consider evidence of “significant public concern” that would have required an environmental assessment before the release of a five-year plan in 2022.

The minister disagreed that there was “significant public concern” and the panel of judges agreed that that decision was his to make.

The court ruled against the coalition and in favour of government.