Some provincial woodlot owners want a consultation process in place before recommendations from the recent report, A Natural Balance: Working Toward Nova Scotia’s Natural Resources Strategy, are implemented.
A delegation, including a representative from the Forest Products Association of Nova Scotia, met with the Progressive Conservative Caucus July 22.
One special concern of woodlot owners is a possible increase in riparian areas, from 20 metres to a possible 100 metres. This could remove up to one-third of Nova Scotia’s woodland from possible production.
“We just want a process where our concerns are being heard,” said Brady Hennigar, whose family has owned a South Shore woodlot since the 1700’s. “We feel that the NDP have closed their eyes and simply do not care about a resource industry that has made this province prosper for hundreds of years.”
“I hope that Minister (John) MacDonel listens to what the forest industry is saying, and opens up a consultation process before any decisions are made,” PC Natural Resources critic Alfie MacLeod stated.
