Algonquin First Nations protestors say they have chained themselves to the trees of the Beaver Pond Forest Tuesday morning to halt the clearing of the area to make way for a residential development in western Ottawa.
Cutting began in the Beaver Pond Forest on Monday as developers told construction crews to move their clearcutting equipment into the area.
KNL, a consortium of developers, is set to clear a 29-hectare section of Kanata’s South March Highlands — which includes two square kilometres of Beaver Pond Forest — to make way for a 3,200-house subdivision.
Ottawa's city council approved the development of the new subdivision seven years ago.
The development has faced criticism from Algonquin groups who said they believe the site has archeological significance. Environmentalists and area residents have also protested the development, saying it will destroy an important wetland.
Mayor Jim Watson met with the companies on Monday, but was not available to comment on what was discussed.
Kurtis Benedetti with the Coalition to Protect the South March Highlands, said his group will take the fight to the provincial government.
"I'm not very optimistic that the city will respond at this point in time," said Benedetti. "I think it will be up to the province to step in and take action."