Big changes in the operations of the Department of Natural Resources may be pending; if statements made by John MacDonell at the Nova Scotia Woodlot Owners and Operators Association’s annual meeting are to be taken seriously.
"I see so much potential for the forest sector," the DNR minister told delegates in Old Barns, April 10. "People can still make money on their woodlot; but I do have my concerns… particularly on the industrial side."
MacDonell hoped that most of the 150,000 acres of forest land Nova Scotia had recently purchased "will be for conservation purposes."
But he added that the province should also increase the amount of Crown land dedicated for forestry uses.
The minister said conditions had been imposed on NewPage’s lease on Crown land— a 175,000 tonne ceiling on harvesting biomass, plus no whole tree harvesting—to meet the fuel contract with Nova Scotia Power.
He hoped to receive recommendations in April on the provincial natural resources strategy from the expert panel on forestry on biomass and clear cutting. "I definitely want the forestry stuff dealt with first."
MacDonell was also keen on the Otter Ponds project to rehabilitate an old, degraded cut over site on the eastern shore of Halifax Regional Municipality. "My only input was to tell my staff I want this done."
In the ensuing question period, NSWOOA member Tom Miller suggested that more money be spent for Category Seven selective forest management on uneven aged stands. He said forest companies should be required to spend 20 per cent of their woodlands budget on Category Seven management, and that silviculture funds are now basically spent on industrial grade wood.
MacDonell wants a review of all categories. "Perhaps, there should be a reallocation."
He has asked his staff to re-evaluate stumpage rates because rates that are too low give a competitive advantage to companies and contractors leasing Crown land. He also felt there is a need to review the fees paid for silviculture, and suggested NSWOOA contact his office to set up a meeting with him "to hammer out what you want."
Miller observed that silviculture fees hadn’t changed in 15 years and tree planting rates were down. The industry has trouble supporting silviculture and "it is the whole ball of wax."
When asked about funding for woods road and other programs; MacDonell replied: "I don’t have an answer; but I will be willing to look at it."
As for a program on firewood sales from Crown land, the minister said his department doesn’t want to deal with the paper work required. "It is a pain to administer. Firewood sales would consume staff time, create added cost and, because of the small volume of wood involved, it’s not a money maker for the taxpayer."
Asked by a Cumberland County NSWOOA member about a Crown land lease to harvest raw spruce logs for a Prince Edward Island mill; MacDonell responded, "We don’t have a lot of Crown land to allocate to people."
Another delegate complained that the price industry and contractors offer woodlot owners for their wood is an insult "and they will not put something in the pot to encourage us to do silviculture."
MacDonell said over the next two years there will be $7-million in government silviculture funds. He suggested woodlot owners contact Peter MacQuarries at DNR, "If you want to work on your land."
Ken MacRury of the Forest Technical Advisory Committee suggested DNR put more tenders out for forest contracts to bid on to get more people involved in silviculture. The minister invited FTAC in for a chat "to provide direction."
Another delegate noted he had a planting contract canceled when he would not agree to have his woodlot sprayed with herbicide.
Matt Miller, a recent UNB forestry grad, asked about the rules on what can and cannot be done on private forest land. MacDonell responded:
"Part of the strategy review will look at everything. Everything is on the table."
Willis Lunn, who has 250 acres of forest near Advocate, complained: "I have been going to meetings like this since Ken Streatch was the minister and we are going backwards."
Lunn recommended either the termination or significant reduction of clear cutting, saying mainland moose habitat has been degraded. Barbara Gallagher remarked that clear cutting has been compared to a forest fire; but she insisted clear cutting damage is much worse because of the loss of carbon and nutrients to the forest soil. "It is just the difference of day and night."
Lunn also deplored the use of herbicides. When MacRury of FTAC asked MacDonell for his views, the minister said forestry has to move away from herbicides. "We have evidence we can grow trees without spraying."
Matt Miller recommended that DNR look into some of the assumptions behind the established practices of Maximum Sustained Yield Forestry in favor of the more balanced approach now being taught as Ecological System Forestry.
MacDonell observed that DNR has developed an extremely close relationship with "the forest industry’s biggest players. Change will be tough. I agree there will be people in the department who will find change difficult."
