The independent review into Nova Scotia’s forestry practices puts ecological concerns at the forefront.
University of King’s College president Bill Lahey presented his report to government and the public this morning.
He recommends following a “triad approach” which would see some land completely protected, some partially harvested and some used for intensive harvesting where warranted, including clearcuts.
However, he believes there is too much clearcutting on Crown land and that curbing the practice, would provide an example for private woodlot owners and their practices on private land – the majority of harvests on private land are done through clearcuts.
Lahey acknowledged that if his report is followed, it could mean more business for private woodlot owners, as less clearcuts would happen on Crown, but it could also mean a contraction in the industry.
“I do not think the danger of contraction of the industry should be a rationale for not implementing the level of protection for ecosystems and biodiversity on Crown land, that I say is warranted.”
Lahey believes his recommendations would result in a drop in clearcuts on crown land from 65 to between 25 and 20 per cent.
The report also recommends the Department of Lands and Forestry conduct or commissions its own scientific research as much of their data relies on studies done in other parts of the country.
He believes strengthening the long term, ecological health of the forests will also help Nova Scotia brace for the impacts of climate change.
“Having multi-aged, mixed forests is going to be a more resilient forest,” he says.
In his presentation to the media, Lahey also brought up the issue of WestFor Inc. – a consortium of 13 mills which currently has access to much of the province’s western Crown lands for harvesting.
Private woodlot owners have been calling attention to the work WestFor is doing in the area over the past two years with many believing wood from crown was flooding the market.
“I have concluded that the demand for wood from woodlots in the region reflects general and shifting market conditions, including the significant loss of regionally based demand for pulpwood,” says Lahey, pointing to the closure of the Bowater paper mill in 2012.
Some woodlot owners also argued that low stumpage rates contributed to companies choosing to harvest on crown versus purchasing from private.
When asked if he had looked into the stumpage rates, Lahey told reporters he has not done that analysis.
“As a team we considered all kinds of things that at the end of the day we didn’t feel able to address in the report or we didn’t feel was necessary to address in the report,” says Lahey adding his mandate was to look into forestry practices.
He did however comment on ties to the forestry industry within the Department of Lands and Forestry.
“I talk about the role of (Lands and Forestry) – openness, transparency, accountability have to be embraced from the top down in how that department operates.”
Lahey recommends striking an independent committee to provide oversight in harvesting plans as well as a more stringent forestry management planning process for crown lands, similar to environmental assessments.
While much of the presentation focused on crown land, there are recommendations regarding private woodlot owners including growing and diversifying markets for a broader range of forest products and creating conditions to enable forest land owners to earn revenue for the carbon their land stores.
But Lahey is going with a mainly hands off approach when it comes to private woodlot owners – saying legislating ecological forestry on private land is impractical and counterproductive and “distractive to what can be accomplished with concerted effort on Crown land.”
The report includes 45 recommendations for government.
Meanwhile, the minister of Lands and Forestry says his department will be analyzing the report.
Iain Rankin didn’t have a timeline for when any of the recommendations might be followed, however, he says some could be done quickly.
“I expect some recommendations can be addressed sooner than others, we are ready to implement change and I am committing to laying out our plan for forestry as soon is practical.”
Rankin, who recently took the helm of the newly named department. says it’s too early to tell what the changes will be, adding the department received the report on the same day as the public.
In the meantime, no long term lease agreements can be signed while the report is being reviewed by the province.
A spokesperson for the department confirmed that companies, such as WestFor will continue operating on interim leases.
Photo caption: William Lahey discusses his review at a press event earlier today.
Story and photo by Brittany Wentzell
Twitter: @BrittWentzell
