Private Woodlot Management in the Maritimes by NRTEE

0 National Economy,

Round Table on the Environment

and the

1997

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Main entry under title: Private woodlot management in the Maritimes: state of the debate on the environment and the economy

1. Woodlots - Maritime Provinces - Management. 2. Sustainable forestry - Maritime Provinces. 3. Forest conservation - Maritime Provinces. 4. Maritime Provinces - Economic conditions 194% . I. National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy (Canada) SD387.W6P74

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sur en

State of the Debate on the Environment and the Economy: Private Woodlot Management

National

in the Maritimes

Round

Table

on the Environment and the Economy

Table

ronde

nation&

sur iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;environnement et Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Bconomie

M 1andate

At the heart of the NRTEEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s work is a commitment to improve environmental decision

the quality of economic policy development

future for Canada. its mandate

choices on a sustainable The agency seeks to carry out

decision

makers and opinion

ers on the best way to integrate mental

they need

by:

* advising

and economic

decision l

by providing

makers with the information

to make reasoned

and

lead-

environ-

considerations

into

making;

actively seeking input

from stakeholders

with a vested interest

in any particular

and providing

a neutral

meeting

issue

ground

where they can work to resolve issues and overcome

barriers

to sustainable

develop-

ment; l

analysing environmental

and economic

facts

to identify changes that will enhance sustainability in Canada; l

and

using the products national

of research, analysis, and

consultation

to come to a conclu-

sion on the state of the debate on the environment

and the economy.

The NRTEEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s State ofthe Debate reports size the results of stakeholder potential

opportunities

ment. They summarize

synthe-

consultations

for sustainable

develop-

the extent of consensus

and reasons for disagreement,

review the conse-

quences

and recommend

of action or inaction,

steps specific stakeholders

can take to promote

sustainability.

Membershzp

. .. 111

Members of the National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy Chair Dr. Stuart Smith Chairman ENSYN Technologies

Michael Harcourt Senior Associate Sustainable Development Sustainable Development

Inc.

Vice-Chair Lise Lachapelle President & CEO Canadian Pulp & Paper Association

Cindy Kenny-Gilday Yellowknife, NWT Dr. Douglas Knott Professor Emeritus University of Saskatchewan

Vice-Chair Elizabeth May Executive Director Sierra Club of Canada

Anne Letellier Lawyer

Paul G. Antle Chairman, President & CEO SCC Environmental Group Inc.

Joseph O’Neill Vice-President Woodlands Division Repap New Brunswick

Carol Phillips Director Education and International Affairs Canadian Automobile Workers

Elizabeth Jane Cracker Co-Owner P’lovers

publiques

Inc.

Dee Parkinson-Marcoux President CS Resources Limited

Plan

Patrick Carson Strategic Planning Advisor Loblaw - Weston Companies

Johanne Gelinas Commissioner Bureau d’audiences l’environnement

de St- Just

Ken Ogilvie Executive Director Pollution Probe

Jean Belanger Ottawa, Ontario Allan D. Bruce Administrator Operating Engineers’ (Local 115) Joint Apprenticeship and Training

Research Institute

Angus Ross President SOREMA Management Inc. & CEO, SOREMA Canadian Branch

sur

Sam Hamad Vice-President Roche Construction

John D. Wiebe President & CEO GLOBE Foundation of Canada and Executive Vice-President Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada

Dr. Arthur J. Hanson President & CEO International Institute Development

Executive Director David McGuinty

for Sustainable

& CEO

Table of Contents

Foreword 1 Preface ......................................................................................................................................................... I.

3 Executive Summary. .......................................................................................................................... 5 Introduction ............................................................................................................................................. .................................................................................................................................................5

Background Woodlot

Facts .............................................................................................................................................6

Importance

II.

of Maritime

Woodlot

Management..

Important

Provincial

Woodlots

..................................................................................................... 7

...........................................................................................................................8 Initiatives

...........................................................................................................9

11 Sustainability Issues ....................................................................................................................... Data Issues ................................................................................................................................................ 11

........................................................................................................................ .12

Overarching

Problems

First Nation

Issues .................................................................................................................................. 13

15 III. Areas of Consensus ......................................................................................................................... Long-Term

Impacts ............................................................................................................................... 15

Reasons for Poor Management

.17 Needed.. ...........................................................................................................................

Information Required

Practices ........................................................................................ 16

Action. ..................................................................................................................................... 18

.21 IV. Areas of Divergence .......................................................................................................................

25 Regional Differences ......................................................................................................................

VI. Recommendations

27 to Stakeholders .................................................................................

33 VII. Conclusion ...............................................................................................................................................

Appendix 1: Forestry

.35 Data ..........................................................................................................................................

Appendix 2: Program

Participants

............................................................................................................................41

Foreword The National Round Table on the Environment

and the Economy (NRTEE)

established the Private Woodlot Harvesting Program to examine key issues affecting the sustainability

of current harvesting practices and levels in Canada’s Maritime

provinces. As Chair of the NRTEE, I am pleased to introduce Report. Concluding

this State of the Debate

the NRTEE’s work over the past 18 months, this report is the

product of extensive consultations with major stakeholders and experts in the field, as well as research documenting current practices and management initiatives already under way within industry and government. It is our hope that the discussion and recommendations

presented here will help to

raise awareness about the potential impact of unsustainable woodlots on the economy, social milieu and environment

management

of private

of Canada’s Maritime

provinces, and to encourage decision making in all sectors that supports sustainable woodlot management.

Stuart L. Smith, M.D. Chair, NRTEE

This report, Private Woodlot Management Maritimes,

in the

is the second in the National Round

Table on the Environment

and the Economyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

(NRTEE) State of the Debate series. Based on research and consultations among key stakeholder groups from the Maritimes, the report outlines the issues surrounding

private woodlot management

and puts forward recommendations

to achieve sus-

tainability of the resource in the future. The report has been prepared as a reference tool for all concerned with policy and decision making for sustainable woodlot management.

The NRTEE extends its appreciation

to all who

assisted with this project, especially

EcoLogic &

Associates

for their effective facilitation

work.

NRTEE Task Force on Private Woodlots Chair Joe Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Neill Vice-President Woodlands Division Repap New Brunswick NRTEE Member

Inc.

Jean-Paul Arsenault Executive Director Prince Edward Island Round Land Use and Stewardship

Table on Resource

Lise Lachapelle President h CEO Canadian Pulp & Paper Association NRTEE Member Louis Lapierre Chaire dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;etudes K.-C. Irving en developpement durable Universite de Moncton New Brunswick Round Table Member Elizabeth May Executive Director Sierra Club of Canada NRTEE Member Steve Thompson Chair in Sustainable Development University of New Brunswick Faculty of Forestry & Environmental Management Jim k-boom General Manager Nova Scotia Woods Co-op Nova Scotia Voluntary Planning Robin Wilber President Elmsdale Lumber Co. Nova Scotia Round Table Member Elizabeth Atkinson NRTEE Policy Advisor

Private woodlots in Canadaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Maritime provinces face serious management problems. Stakeholders consulted by the National Round Table on the Environment

and the Economy (NRTEE) generally

agree that unsustainable management

of this

resource will have negative economic, social and environmental

impacts. While some disagree,

many argue the impacts could be swift and dramatic, challenging the very fabric of life in the region. A few liken the situation to that preceding the collapse of the Atlantic cod fishery.

Private woodlots of productive

account

for a large proportion

forest land in the Maritimes

Stakeholders

remained

the role of legislation

up to 88 per cent in Prince Edward Island. Fibre

lems, increased

from private woodlots

causing

forest industry,

is essential

which in turn is a vital element

in the region’s economy. vide employment activities

Private woodlots

export earnings,

stumpage

berry picking,

also have ecological biodiversity

income

Private woodlots Many encom-

areas critical for main-

and valuable

fish and bird

meeting

Nova Scotia, most participants lems of private woodlot overcutting

of a declining

sustainable

stewardship

problems

consequences pointed

of various

ture programs;

Many felt the of

high unemployment;

targeted

the

including

the

the lack of silviculpast practices;

problems

tainability increased

various

planning

on private woodlots cooperation

among

silviculture

ers; increased for sustainable

management.

They sus-

including

and training

public awareness;

to the

stakeholder for con-

workers and woodlot

tables -

and development training

forest

information.

steps toward achieving

groups; more education tractors,

that solutions

require much more accurate

data and economic proposed

cial round

own-

and incentives

to convert to pota-

issues include and an

held in Moncton, identified

woodlot

New

concrete

management

These actions -

at federal and provincial

the fibre industry,

practice. believed

pressure

epidemic.

stakeholders

supply and demand

and poor government

of wood harin Prince

from sawmills

At a second meeting

Nova

of the expanding

the road to sustainability.

planning. Many stakeholders

on the amount

actions to put private woodlot

and the

some special resource.

vested or its markets. Woodlots

Brunswick,

of eco-

has the least reli-

budworm

stakeholders,

short-sighted

probably

demand

of a forestry collapse. Others

to work together;

Scotia, for instance,

impending

to a desire to make “fast money”;

reluctance

each confront the woodlot

expanding

principles

provinces,

provinces

issues in managing

agreed the proband lack of

the

also show the three

New Brunswick’s

practices.

management

The NRTEE’s consultations

able information

the role

areas.

to industry.

flow from lack of understanding

sustainable

need for more data and the protection

in Waverley,

resource

pricing,

and public consultation,

use because

centre on

the prob-

for forest products

agricultural

management

on issues such as

product

Edward Island are under

habitat. At a multistakeholder

of government

Maritime

recreation/tourism

significance.

pass river and streamside

demand

the problems,

logically significant

Non-traditional

and maple syrup production.

taining

pro-

from forestry and other

for owners and tax revenues. uses include

to the region’s

divided

in addressing

governments,

owners and provin-

cover tax reform, research needs, cooperative issues, licensing

needs, certification

efforts, and

issues and codes of

I. Introduction --:--

Background

The harvesting of Maritime woodlots as a possible issue for examination was first raised at a 1995 plenary meeting of the National Round Table on the Environment

and the Economy (NRTEE).

The NRTEE members were interested in exploring the issue because of its potential impact on the Maritime economy, the future of many people and communities

in the region, and the possible signif-

icant impact on the environment.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; â&#x20AC;&#x2122;

It should be noted that the selection of private woodlots as a topic for NRTEE activity does not imply that other significant or similar problems are non-existent in other classes of land ownership in the Maritime forestry community.

The NRTEE began its work on private woodlots

In Maritime

by commissioning

tion of the total productive

determine confirm

a background

report to

the extent of the issues involved. the findings

organized

of this report, the NRTEE

a panel of local experts from industry

and the community

to present

their opinions

the NRTEE’s May 1996 plenary Miramichi,

New Brunswick

Following

the Miramichi

management

held in

(see Appendix

meeting,

Task Force on Private Woodlots an effort to determine

meeting

2).

the NRTEE

was formed.

the status of woodlot

in the three Maritime

and raise the profile of the issue, the Task Force convened

a multistakeholder

meeting

Waverley, Nova Scotia, on November Approximately

40 participants

many different

sectors attended

Brunswick,

15,1996.

representing

to identify

multistakeholder

meeting

actions that could be recommended

to stakeholders in Moncton,

was held on February New Brunswick.

these two meetings

20, 1997,

Participants

are listed in Appendix

These consultations

form the basis-of the pre-

sent report.

82,000 small private woodlot Maritimes

holding

Canada.

Privately

cent of the productive Brunswick,

417 million

land, amounting

of forest

to 10 per cent of all the forest

land in the world. Of this forest land, more than 220 million producing

hectares timber

are considered

capable of

and other forest products,

and some 119 million managed

for timber

ernments

manage

hectares

are currently

production.

Provincial

of which about 31 per cent is in the

hands of the small woodlot held by large companies the same guidelines Appendix

govern-

ments oversee 23 per cent. Some 6 per cent of Canada’s forest land is on private property to more than 422,500 landowners

(see Appendix

1, Table 1). These figures, and

those that follow, are presented ence to current claims.

without

or future First Nations

referland

and managed

under

as Crown land (see

1, Table 2). Eighty-eight

the productive

per cent of

forest land in Prince Edward owners owning

an average of 18 hectares. The remainder

is held

by the Prince Edward Island government.

Nova Scotia, more than 69 per cent of the productive forest land is privately

owned. Of this

amount,

52 per cent is retained

woodlot

owners with an average woodlot

approximately

45 hectares

by small private

(see Appendix

size of 1,

Table 3). a private woodlot

is defined

as a

owned piece of land used for growing

commercial

for growing industry

trees, but not for use in

forestry. Such private woodlots

or may not be used as a source of revenue

may for

the owner. Woodlot woodlot

71 per cent of the nation’s

forests, and the federal and territorial

belonging

(averaging

in size) owners while I9 per cent is

owners are diverse but are generally

Canadian gov-

land area in make up 52 per

forest land in New

owned by a large corporate hectares

forest area

or more than

held woodlots

forest trees or suitable

Facts

contains

hectares,

30 per cent of all private woodlot

privately

Canada

owners in the

a total productive

of more than 4 million

In this report,

Woodlot

large propor-

forest land is pri-

Island is held by small woodlot

from New

Nova Scotia and Prince Edward

Island. A subsequent

a relatively

vately owned. In 1991, there were more than

hectares

provinces

Canada,

residents, property.

individuals,

living on or near their As well as being owned by

private woodlots

organizations municipalities involvement

may be owned by

such as small corporations, and churches.

Most First Nations

in forestry is on reserve lands,

some of which may be considered

the equiva-

lent of a “small woodlot.” Woodlot

sizes range

from several hectares hectares, hectares.

to tens of thousands

with a typical size being about 40

Importance Woodlots Woodlots nomic,

of Maritime

Columbia serve important

social and cultural

ecology.

functions

Only British upon the forest

as part of its manufacturing

The sector employs

as well as

27,000 people directly and

16,000 indirectly,

in New Brunswick

Management

Scotia combined,

and spends $638 million

ing the long-term products

of private woodlots implications,

has

annually

affect-

industry,

employment

mately

rates, recre-

uses of the forest, aesthetics, and fuelwood

1993, approxi-

1,000 people derived all or part of their

living from the forest industry.

water sup-

employed

supply.

Workers may be

directly in the large mills or in the

forest as foresters, contractors,

Forest Industry Significance

workers

in the region depends from privately

larger forest products holdings,

including

land, the viability sustainable

heavily on wood supplied companies

harvesting

production

For example,

have their own depends

supplied

traditional

commercial

wood supply is harvested

to supplying exported

domestic

from pri-

significant

The tourism important tourism

and the United

industry

in the Maritimes

are critically in Maritime

important

Canada

businesses,

encompasses

employs

to the

is vital to the region’s economy.

example,

in Nova Scotia, the forest industry

resents one of the most important the industrial

economy.

and nature-based subsector

For

elements

industry,

tourism,

of this industry

repof

Fuelwood,

econo-

eco-tourism,

are a fast growing that relies heavily on

maple syrup and ginseng

tion, Christmas

account-

and outfitting

tree growing, for hunting

ther benefits,

domestic

from private woodlots.

generated

the

more than 6,500

to the provincial

tourism

ing for more than 41 per cent of the gross product

is an

a healthy forest and accessible forest land.

In New Brunswick,

forestry is the largest primary

are

com-

42,000 people, and gener-

my each year.* Adventure

and that

industry

sector of the regional

In Nova Scotia, for example, industry

ates over $900 million

Private woodlots

for First Nations

and growing

economy.

from private land is

States.

forest industry

uses such as

wild edible mush-

munities.

of the

mills, a substantial

to other provinces

harvesting

for non-

a large degree on healthy private woodlots, particularly

1, Table 4). In addition

of wood harvested

and prop-

rooms, and hiking. These uses, which depend

private

woodlots account for more than 25 per cent of the wood processed at mills in that province. In

vate lands (see Appendix

are also important

and non-consumptive

berry picking,

pulp and saw mills comes from pri-

Prince Edward Island, all but a fraction

sawmills. stumpage

to owners, as well as income

Private woodlots

to the

vately owned land. In New Brunswick,

include

Non-traditional and Non-consumptive Uses

upon

in Nova Scotia, approximately

benefits

erty taxes to governments.

from small woodlots.

per cent of the roundwood province’s

income

rights to Crown

of this industry

and family-operated

Other economic

owned land. While several of the

silviculture

or loggers. There are also many small

family-owned

The large pulp and paper and sawmill industry

and Nova

on wages and salaries in the region. On

Prince Edward Island during

fibre supply for the forest

ply, wildlife habitat

amount

base.

eco-

a critical part of the region’s forest

both positive and negative

ational

industries.

is more dependent

industry

in the Maritimes

forming

manufacturing

by the province’s

economic

produc-

wreath making,

and fishing are fur-

and otherwise,

derived

Voluntary Planning, Public Response to: Coalition ofNova Scotia Forest Interests’ Discussion Paper (Halifax, November 1996), p. 55. 7

Woodlot

Environmental Benefits Ecologically,

woodlots

maintenance

and protection

diversity. Woodlots

tain important Acadian

As forest management

riparian

zones critical for enhanc-

and preserving

and bird habitat.

to the

of existing species

often encompass

(river or streamside) ing biodiversity

are important

valuable

examples

By providing

dioxide, wood-

the greenhouse of carbon

Aboriginal

regulations

private woodlots

woodlot

burned, carbon dioxide is released. Forests are a

erwise manage tainability.

tributing to this carbon reserve. Carbon is

annual

retained in the trees and becomes a major com-

of knowing

exist, are difficult

that such resources

many people, including

is important

prop-

owners are all

activities

Provincial

or oth-

to ensure sus-

governments

establish

cuts (AAC) based on their

of sustainable

production, authority

but often

actual harvests to enforce the

limits once they are set. Until recently

to value. However, it is essen-

of private woodlots

silviculture

private woodlots

and have no regulatory

as well as the gen-

of the private woodlot.

many woodlot

have no reliable way to measure

and recreational

known

these factors when assessing the

overall importance

freehold as the owner

of their forestry resources,

allowable

estimates

ponent in the wood of stems and branches.3

eral satisfaction

responsibility

of Canada’s forests,

owners are free to harvest their forests

tion to undertake

absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen, con-

of private woodlots,

relations.

when and how they choose. There is no obliga-

carbon than they can release. As they grow, trees

ecological

on trade and

have divided are considered

capable stewards

role

forest science

and international

deems fit. Although

major “‘carbon sink” meaning they absorb more

The environmental,

However, the

affairs, environ-

erty to be dealt with virtually

fossil fuels, forests, and in the soil. When these are

existence

statistics,

over the administration

dioxide and

does play an important

While governments

effect

Millions of tons of carbon are held in reservoirs of

tial to include

and regulation.

national

and technology,

other gases:

benefits

for setting its own policies, pro-

mental

a sink for carbon

caused by the buildup

responsible

investment,

of logging.

lots also help combat

each province

for the forestry sector by focusing

of the original

forest mix, now much impoverished

after centuries

of provincial

in Canada,

federal government

con-

is a matter

jurisdiction

grams, legislation

fish

Some private woodlots

Management

Agreements,

The

federal-provincial played an important

ing the extent and character

for

agement

those who do not own

role in shap-

of resource

man-

on private forest land. While serious

questions

forest property.

agreements,

as the Forest Resource Development

have been raised about the emphasis

and effectiveness

of the programs,

it seems

clear that very little, if any, silviculture have been undertaken for these bilateral

would

on private woodlots

but

agreements.

Under these agreements,

tens of millions

dollars flowed into the region each year to support silviculture

activities

Nova Scotia, for example, the funding

on private land. In nearly 70 per cent of

for silviculture

from the federal government.

initiatives

came

The federal share

was even greater in New Brunswick.

Federal

3 Canadian Pulp and Paper Association, Harvest and Harmony: Managing Canada’s Forests for the Future (Montreal, 1996), p. 22. 8

support

for these initiatives

ing provincial

governments

ended in 1995, leav-

those consultations

and industry

public. The Coalition

to fill

steps. Among

the void.

Coalition Silviculture weeding

treatments

include

and pre-commercial

are intended

tree planting, thinning,

which

Round

to help young forests regenerate

growth of most softwood

species in the Maritimes - perhaps

tripled -

ate silvicultural promoting Adequate

and hardwood

could be doubled

through

practices

inputs

has proposed

establishing

a sustain-

Table on the Environment

Economy

has identified

concern,

and has formed

and the

forestry as an area of a committee

to on this

subject. Stora Port Hawkesbury

and

Scotia Landowners

an ethic of good stewardship. silvicultural

its next the

research and make recommendations

the use of appropriand developing

is now considering

other recommendations,

ability board in Nova Scotia. The Nova Scotia

and grow more rapidly. Over the long term, the annual

has been released to the

Association

are critical to sus-

collective

tainability.

Limited

announced agreement

Management

in March 1997 that a which included

a Joint

Plan had been signed. This first

joint industry,

landowner/supplier,

ment partnership

and govern-

in Nova Scotia provides

ing for forest management objective

and the Nova

and Forest Fibre Producers

on private land. The

of the Joint Management

support

the implementation

treatments

fund-

Plan is to

of silviculture

to private lands and to eventualIy

achieve sustainability resources

of the private forest

in eastern Nova Scotia used to supply

Storaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mills. In New Brunswick,

Important Initiatives

Provincial

vate woodlot tistakeholder

(Chair, Sustainable New Brunswick)

The NRTEE consultative management perspective

process addresses

assist the various processes

currently

vate woodlot outlined

the issue of pri-

These processes

owners, environmental

and woodlot

government.

directly to the Minister

are

initiative,

industry

suba work-

and government

owners has been

under the sponsorship

Brunswick

licensees, woodlot

formed

of the New

The group is reporting of Natural

Resources

and Energy.

below.

The Coalition

Some forest industry

of Nova Scotia Forest Interests

has just completed discussing

addressing

with the Department

and Energy, licensees,

representatives

provincial

University

Resources

ing group comprising

and

table

a series of multistake-

groups and others. In another

within

sectors. It is

will complement

independent

management.

mm-

with the aim of ensur-

ing that the issues receive broad attention hoped that this initiative

Natural

round

by Steve Thompson

Development, through

holder meetings

pri-

from a regional,

the public, private and government

a woodlot

process has been initiated

Brunswick

a series of public meetings

owners to encourage

its new forest strategy.4 A report on

forest management. 4 The Coalition of Nova Scotia Forest Interests included

companies

are paying incentives silviculture

in New to woodlot and sustainable

These incentives

include

in March 1997 the Association of Consulting Foresters of Nova Scotia, Bowater Mersey Paper Co. Ltd., Communication, Energy and Paperworkers Union, Kimberly Clark Nova Scotia, Maritime Lumber Bureau, Nova Scotia Christmas Tree Council, Nova Scotia Forest Products Association, Nova Scotia Forestry Association, Silviculture Contractors Association of Nova Scotia, Stora Port Hawkesbury Ltd., and the Wood Product Manufacturers Association.

higher prices for wood from sustainably

man-

The Forest Partnership

Council,

aged land, the setting up of trust funds solely

Prince Edward Island industry,

for silviculture

and government

seedling

and forest management,

agreements,

and allocating

age of the wood price to support

a percent-

of practice initiative

In 1994, the New Brunswick

Federation

a code of practice.

developed

The code is a voluntary

guide designed

mote the “environmentally tainable

operation

the framework

of woodlot

woodlots

to prosuswithin

owners’ objectives.“’

The Prince Edward Island Round

has developed

for contractors.

The voluntary

fund was established try. It requires

that $2 be remitted

Island woodlots.

designed

among

Program,

established

silvicultural

the original

Acadian

techniques forest.

future plans and changes in land use approaches. This Round in August

Table will submit

its final report

1997.

New Brunswick Federation (Fredericton, 1994), p. 2.

of Woodlot

P.E.I.

The McPhail Woods

Forestry

on the Island, is

to be used as a basis for discussion

code

to the fund

report entitled

stakeholders

a code

and sold from

Cultivating Island Solutions. This report, now circulating

owner

and indus-

years ago, is an excellent demonstration reestablish

has pub-

by government

for each cord of wood harvested Ecological

began in 1996 when a forest renewal

use of appropriate

Table on

Resource Land Use and Stewardship lished (1996) its interim

and financially

of working

woodlot

interests,

came into effect on April 1,1997. Another

silviculture.

Woodlot

Owners

a coalition

Owners, New Brunswick Woodlot Owners’ Code of Practice

several of the to

II 0

Sustainability Issues

Data Issues

The most recent annual allowable cut and harvest figures for the three Maritime provinces are contained in Appendix 1, Table 5. However, stakeholders have repeatedly questioned the accuracy of the harvest figures, since it is believed that current harvest rates are under reported.

While some data on woodlot are available,

harvesting

levels

such as the figures presented

Tables 6 and 7 of Appendix

1, the information

is incomplete.

There is no precise mechanism

for reporting

harvest rates on private woodlots.

Yet this is essential demand

information

for forest products

are reports

is increasing.

that some contractors

ingâ&#x20AC;? woodlots

owners large,

to have their woodlots

cleared. Since jobs and money region, this option Additionally,

are scarce in the

can be attractive.

many mills, especially

are expanding

There

are â&#x20AC;&#x153;liquidat-

offering woodlot

lump sum payments

woodlots

at a time when

significantly

saw mills,

the use of private

as a major source of fibre.

Overarching

Problems

Stakeholders

agree regarding

overarching

generally

and interrelated

to private woodlot l

The New Brunswick Resources

Department

conducts

an annual

of Natural timber

the lack of sustainable

utilization

throughout

mills.

contractors

problem

Although

experts estimate

that an addi-

in New Brunswick

and the impacts

and

some believe over hara crisis as grave as the

collapse of the cod fishery and that the ensuing

are

impacts

at a level 150

could be devastating

nities in the three Maritime

to rural commuprovinces.

Many feel there is little public understanding

there are no auditable

awareness

data to support

about private woodlot

of the problem

effort for a regional

manage-

despite the fact that actions

that harvested

could seriously

are now exceeding

the

and no concerted

approach

ment, many people in the forest sector believe amounts

is a serious

could be dramatic

While not all agree on the

vesting could precipitate

to Maine. If

agreement

that unsustain-

management

severity of the impacts,

1, Table 6).

most concerns

toward sustain-

the three provinces

swift in occurring.

per cent (+ 10 per cent) of the AAC (see Appendix

i.e.,

owner.

reveal widespread

able private woodlot

who sell into

is correct, private woodlots

being harvested

and knowledge,

on an investment

The consultations

of the size of operations

tional 20 per cent is being exported this estimate

practices,

ability for the woodlot

from Maine companies

and general knowledge Maine, industry

forest management

the lack of incentives return

AAC of soft-

by New Brunswick

Based on information of New Brunswick

resource,

that for the past three

years 130 per cent of the woodlot wood was purchased

of a declining

there appears to be no clear economic

survey of all wood users in New Brunswick. This survey indicates

relating

management:

the over cutting

(stewardship)

problems

three

to the issue, in one province

affect the situation

in another.

AAC in both Nova Scotia and New Brunswick

Linked to the overall issue of sustainability

and that the future is bleak unless action is

the fact that there are poor markets

taken swiftly and cohesively. The lack of precise

parts of Nova Scotia for low quality wood such

data is one of the key issues related to sustain-

as over mature

ability of the resource.

standing.

balsam

in some

fir, which is often left

Some people feel that the current

market structure gradingâ&#x20AC;?

and practices

a practice

promote

common

Lack of a stewardship

â&#x20AC;&#x153;high-

throughout

the

mitment

history of forestry in the Maritimes. Highgrading

to sustainable

problem.

removes only the biggest and best

Other observers

cited as part of the point to an unwilling-

ness to take responsibility

prob-

for the state of the

industries,

which have often

resource

as a potential

way to solve some

serve it. Still others see the lack of opportunity

lems. Value-added

or to make sacrifices in order to con-

for input

into the development

wood is not always used in the best possible

agement

policy and the diversity

way.

owners as contributing

of these problems,

are lacking. Consequently,

Regarding

the state of the forest on First Nation

with some exceptions,

of wood pro-

holders to see harvesting able long-term

annual

rates match a sustainallowable

and are and man-

of timber

harvesting

ers to harvest over mature has some economic

Moreover,

set up under the Indian

Act to govern manage-

ment of on-reserve

timber

ignored

and non-Indians

by Indians

rounding

wood while it still

value. Various questions

on-reserve

and

for the future.

harvesting

practices

by questions

themselves.

forest (which is present

over

with its wide variety of

species, has different

management

options

the boreal forest, which consists mainly spruce and fir species. The traditional Acadian

methods

of harvesting

timber

sharing,

labourin the

forest are seen by many to be more Sus-

tainable.

They feel there is a

management

and control

expertise,

over their own training

They believe that the integra-

harvesting,

systems is essential.

from

the need to revitalize

holdings.

tion of First Nations

practised

reserves. So

assets, and for wood-harvesting

and equipment.

to the boreal

forest in the region),

intensive

recognize

for full authority timber

The Acadian

in addition

alike. In

have tried to gain

rights to Crown land sur-

need for more woodlot

The debate over how much and which wood to complicated

assets are frequently

or close by First Nation

First Nations

harvest is further

regulations

far, however, they have had little success.

trees being cut bring the most economic benefit

has been ham-

the federal govern-

ment and First Nations.

have been asked about how to ensure that the ecological

between

access and cutting

own-

stands on most

Coordination

recent years, First Nations

cut in part

conflicts with the desire of some woodlot

timber

now nearly exhausted. agement

the impact

people state that,

reserves have not been well managed

pered by disputes

For example, the desire of some stake-

of woodlot

Issues

reserves, many First Nations

Many issues surround

of forest man-

to the overall problems.

First Nation

duction.

com-

forestry on the part of

some owners are frequently

trees and has caused many of the current been discussed

ethic and limited

into existing information marketing,

and processing

III. Areas of Consensus

Long-Term

Impacts

Stakeholders agree that the lack of sustainable practices on private woodlots will result in negative economic, social and environmental

consequences.

Most people tend to focus on the economic results, arguing that the primary impact is resource depletion, which in turn will lead to socio-economic problems. Other impacts include an unbalanced forest structure, irregular wood and fibre supply, the increased probability of government control, escalating costs, fewer economic development opportunities

and a bad image for the industry. 15

It is felt that the economic region-wide

B. Human Nature

decline could be

and could result in an increase

There is a feeling that people, in general, have a

social debt as well as debates over ownership and management

and possible

difficult

changes in own-

time turning

make money

ership patterns.

lack of interest

Some people say that the general public does

implications.

not understand

to the question

impacts

the “big picture”

will be widespread.

and that

do not appear to acknowledge

relationship

between

environmental

resource

However, most

stakeholders

economic

market

the

in understanding of education

pricing

the long-term

and incentives,

and market

demands

demands.

Current

lead to highgrading,

and premature

absence of financial

degradation.

market

harvesting.

incentives

make the “right” decision of poor understanding

It is difficult to pinpoint the private woodlot

for owners to

the Maritimes. peripheral

problem

There is a tendency

an integrated

There are varying

to focus on

and must be addressed

stakeholders,

by common

concerns

knowledge.

community

sent at the NRTEE multistakeholder

here are in meeting

are working

a forest industry understanding certification response

extends to a lack of

of sustainable

ment principles

values, but some industry

and

which do not allow for

or cooperation

among all stake-

Overall, it does not appear that the provinces

A. Lack ofKnowledge understanding

government,

holders.

Waverley, Nova Scotia.

The lack of knowledge

and understandings.

structures,

open dialogue

by those pre-

between

who are not bound

Some of this is due to differing

However, the prime reason often cited is lack of as perceived

degrees of distrust

the different

arises from current

Other reasons presented

C. Reluctance to Work Together

way to achieve real changes.

order of importance

that could motivate

change in their behaviour.

issues, and also a feeling that all the

reasons are entwined

by the because

of the facts, people do

not have the information

one main reason for

sustainability

The

is accompanied

desire to make “fast money.” Essentially,

Reasons for Poor Management Practices

to or

The “greed” issue is seen to be tied

specialization

decline and

down an opportunity

quickly and have an inability

forest manage-

and the overall consequences

to address the private

issue despite the fact that policy devel-

opment

in one province

would affect that in

another. of

D. Lack of Silviculture Programs

collapse. There is also limited of the impact

together

woodlot

of forest product

and what the market will require in

to certification.

Silvicultural

activity in all three provinces

insufficient.

While stakeholders

the benefits

of and the need for silviculture,

programs

have not been developed

those discontinued federal-provincial who were formerly programs

employed

of the

in silviculture

which is compounding

problem.

to replace

Some workers

have shifted to harvesting

commercially, cutting

with the ending agreements.

acknowledge

wood the over

G. Poor Planning by Government

E. Eflects ofPast Practices Land use practices situations

For example,

Many people believe there is a lack of leadership

in the past created forestry

that are now considered

on the private woodlot

problems.

issue, When politicians

have taken action there has not been thorough

the large areas of over mature

white spruce in Nova Scotia are the result of

or effective public

widespread

ning processes have been poor and uncoordi-

land clearing

turn of the century. examples

at the

nated. Some woodlot

There are few remaining

of the original

was cut without

for agriculture Acadian

thought

consultation,

not had adequate

forest, which

government

for the future. The

owners feel that they have

opportunity

decision

making

stands of today are the result of economic

pres-

forestry matters,

sures and poor planning

of the

accepted the importance

tendency

and are evidence

that government,

decisions

based on political

than principles

in particular, expediency,

for input into and planning

and that government

timber

vesting are seen by some to be competing

makes

smaller, more sustainable

rather

viewed as an example

of sustainability.

for

has not

of their participation.

Loans and grants for mechanizing

to think only in the short term. There

is concern

and often plan-

operations,

harwith

and are

of poor planning.

F. Unemployment High unemployment ages over cutting

in the Maritimes

tive employment. involved

It is relatively

Information Two primary

easy to become

regarding

in logging activity, and poor practices

are often applied. Training viduals looking understand

encour-

because of the lack of alterna-

for quick income

neither

nor the potential able practices.

is limited

harvest practices

overall impacts

of unsustain-

Individual

have emerged

required

to under-

and develop viable solu-

tions. These areas are the need for better data

alternatives

sustainable

areas of consensus

the information

stand the problems

and indi-

Needed

collection

and dissemination,

for good economic investment

action is not consid-

information

and the necessity information

in private woodlots.

public awareness

ered as a cause of the problem.

planning

are also thought

requirements

on the

Education

and

to be top

but may be consid-

ered more as action items than information needs. This element paper.

is discussed

later in this

Required Action

A. Forest Data An accurate mation

inventory

the following l

of forest-related

is critical. This inventory

infor-

Consensus

should include

items:

private woodlots.

amount

of wood currently

location

of wood harvested,

harvested,

l l

destination

of harvested

wood, l

amount

of land being managed

and how it

is managed, l

what silviculture the present

accurate

is required

to maintain

rate of harvest,

inventories

the forest (quality

of what is actually and quantity

better information

increased

by species),

on sustainable

are

cooperation,

greater leadership, more education

and training,

increased

public awareness,

provision

for financial

and moral incen-

support

for planning

better marketing

and coordination,

and market

development.

A. Cooperation and Leadership

The inventory traditional

should

also include

Most people feel that all stakeholder

non-

data to create baseline

(woodlot

informa-

owners, contractors,

chasers, mills, government,

tion.

non-government

B. Economic Information Often decisions understanding

are made without of the complete

ture. No one seems entirely try or region. Accurate long-range

is needed,

end users, pur-

recreation

organizations,

have to cooperate

a proper

groups,

environmentalwill

and make compromises

order to ensure that a viable plan of action is

pic-

developed

sure about the eco-

necessary

on an indus-

information

market potential

groups

ists, wildlife groups and the community)

economic

effects of a wood shortage

products

suggestions

from stakeholders:

levels of

use.

nomic

tives,

some of the steps

The following

the direct result of input l

exists regarding

that must be taken to achieve sustainability

on the

Regional

of value-added

and initiated. among

agreements

are required

try and landowners

as is a better understanding

tainable

Cooperation

is also

the three provinces. so that indus-

respect and schedule

harvest levels and implement

sus-

adequate

of market drivers and their impact on sustain-

silviculture/management

programs

ability.

long-term

There must be leaders

sustainability.

who will take the initiative

C. Information on How to Conduct Education, Awareness and Consultation Programs People consistently management consultation. information programs,

to implement for sustainably

har-

will have an impact but this

will be slow to take effect. Change is needed before the market

demands

it.

refer to the need for forest

education

public awareness

change. Market pressures vested products

to ensure

and training

campaigns

B. Education and Training

programs,

and better public

Education

They also express some desire for that will help implement

these

for example, better information

the values and motivation

was often mentioned

consultations.

of all stakeholders.

Education viculture

Areas of concern and training workers

on sustainable

throughout

of contractors,

sil-

and other forest workers

forestry practices.

Some

people feel that this should be linked to

the

are threefold:

training

in forest certification

development

of professional

as well as the

Regarding

performance

people are educated their behaviour

standards. l

Education

of woodlot

tainability

and certification

Public education

These educational

programs

Industry

information unbiased

issues.

Support

are designed.

and contain

feel that current

programs

is needed

for woodlot

to ensure coordinated and financial

planning

organization.

be aimed at increasing

are Many

promote

pro-

increasing

factual information.

environmental

when they

E. Support for Planning and Coordination

will need to share

openly with other stakeholders

ensure that the education

the impact

approach.

target groups so that suit-

and government

to understand

and are recognized

sure will help create a more sustainable

issues.

will need to be tai-

and structure

some think that if

do a job well, there is a chance that social pres-

owners about sus-

on sustainability

lored for individual able content

moral incentives,

education

agement

grams do not target the right topics.

sustainable

owners in order and technical

This support

should

efforts to organize forest management

the number

of woodlots

and and

with man-

plans.

C. Public Awareness Public awareness from education.

is seen as a separate

action

It should focus on ensuring

that the public is aware of the economic, ronmental

and social importance

woodlots, agement

and the possible on communities.

grams should

indicate

envi-

of private

effects of mismanPublic awareness

pro-

F. Better Marketing and Market Development

both the good and bad

aspects of forest management

and acknowledge

what has been done well.

Long-term

D. Financial and Moral Incentives There is considerable tance of financial tainable

forest management.

changes in the income made to encourage sustainably. stumpage woodlot

for sus-

resource. silviculture

tax policy should be

woodlot

pendent

owners to manage

and the establishment

include

owners, contractors,

required

is consensus

Whatever

to do something in order to

the solution,

that the tax implications

lot management

It has been suggested

that a buyer-run

plan should be developed

and inde-

audits put in place. Buyers would agree

the production

processors/mills

to prove good stewardship

to diversify employment

to ensure reforestation

uses could be developed

from

positive with their land, and that they should be get a tax advantage.

for lower

industries

on har-

vested areas. Some believe that other economic

Some people believe that high-

er taxes might lead landowners

are needed

and make better use of the forest

or be regulated

tax-free

of a forest

fund with contributions

and government.

opportunities

Many feel that

These suggestions

management

should be developed

debate about the impor-

and moral incentives

steady markets

quality species, and value-added

there

of wood-

should be reexamined.

for woodlots

of ginseng.

such as

The main areas of disagreement centre on how to better manage the private woodlot resource. Areas of disagreement include:

the role of legislation

in addressing

B. Role of Increased Demand for Forest Products

the

problem, l

the role of increased products

demand

in causing

product

for forest

Most stakeholders

the problem,

will regulate ronment

pricing,

feel that free market forces

and maintain

from an imposed l

the role of public

consultation,

increases

significant

be turned

areas,

that increased

into a “positive”

ment,

lines. in the forest

demand

could

factor and facilitate

better forest management. ments is not generally

of people involved

in fear of

will result. It is the opinion

the need for more research and develop-

the number

mechanism

However, as demand

other stakeholders

of ecologically

envi-

and many shy away

some believe that unsustainable

forestry practices

the need for more data, protection

control

trade infringement.

the role of government,

a competitive

for forest products

This split of senti-

divided

along stakeholder

C. Product Pricing

industry.

Some people believe that higher prices paid as a

A. Role ofLegislation

bonus

for wood from sustainably

woodlots Disagreement

about the need for, and the role

of, legislation

for sustainable

woodlot

Logging contractors,

manage-

immediately

cut and to “demand”

responsible

others believe that legislating impossible. strongly

Individual

against legislated

would constrain resources.

contractors

solutions

and enforcement, alternative

because it

owners against legislated vate woodlots.

restric-

Other logging contractors

believe that a bonus

system would provide

for selective harvesting.

D. Role of Public Consultation Individual

would

to modify

land. In contrast,

placed on pri-

with respect to the intended

unintended

consequences

of any proposed

industry

and government

are divided

consultation.

While some think that more and

on the role of public

employed,

lation.

believed

is a way to solve the

others believe that this is not an effec-

tive solution

legis-

solu-

their private forested

stakeholders

problem,

and

involve-

and recommending

better public consultation

Much of this debate stems from

uncertainty

owners demand

tions to issues involving

allied with the woodlot controls

woodlot

ment in discussing

and that edu-

and ensure lasting change. Logging are strongly

feel that a bonus

place undue

tions on harvesting. incentives

their use of private forest

cation is an acceptable

owners are

They point out that legislation

require policing behaviour

management,

harvest levels is

woodlot

however, are divided

system would essentially

to reduce the

managed

better management.

this issue. Some contractors

ment is explicit. While some feel that legislation should be enacted

would promote

because

of current

techniques

such as public hearings, to attract a certain

that is not truly representative

which are

type of stakeholder of the public.

should be noted that there is a degree of consensus on the need for better information conducting

effective public consultation.

I-f. Need for More Research and Development

E. Role of Government Disagreement

exists around

the role govern-

ment should play. Government

is seen by some

as both the cause of the problem tion. Some woodlot and industry

Industry

and the solu-

owners feel government

influence

on woodlot

practices,

cient non-clear-cutting

while

that more research

is required

tive silvicultural

policies is

one of the main causes of poor practices,

believes strongly

and development

to create innova-

to explore cost-effi-

harvest systems for

small woodlots

and to measure

others believe that the causes are too synergistic

forest practices

on the ecosystem.

to blame on governments

has

defined

feel

research and development

a responsibility.

and that everyone

Some community

that government

industry.

interests

Individual

view government

already under way.

woodlot

owners clearly

Some stakeholders

activity in this area as inter-

believe that too many people

are trying to derive income

from the forest

resource; just as many completely

F. Need for Data Most stakeholders, woodlot

this statement.

including

organizations,

more information

industry

see a desperate

private woodlots

and

Maritime

age

of the Maritimes.

A few government

tives, however, feel that further for establishing

practices

already exists. This is an extremely

sustainable

forestry con-

issue among some of the stakeholders.

G. Protection of Ecologically Significant Areas Environmental ecologically

stakeholders significant

on private woodlots

feel strongly

and landowners

pensated.

Most private woodlot

reluctant

to discuss such protection.

duly com-

owners are Within

these groups some believe that ecological are already well protected, try is insensitive that environmental

that

areas must be protected

areas

and others feel indus-

to environmental protection

issues and is not taking

place.

because of the

in many of the of silviculture

people from harvesting

ing and developing

and that all the information

required tentious

can redeploy

representa-

data collection

owner organiza-

regions. Many other stakeholders

believe that expansion

classes, and harvest levels in almost every region

disagree with

sustainability

is impossible

excessive unemployment

need for

on forest inventories,

Several woodlot

tions believe that achieving

professionally

foresters in government,

unnecessary

Other, non-

feel that there is sufficient

I. Number of People Involved in the Forest Industry

to serve the goals

as well as those of the

ference with their private property.

trained

may need to take more control

as a result of public demand of non-forest

members

stakeholders

the impact

programs into grow-

new forests for the future.

Regional Difierences

Nova Scotia

Nova Scotian stakeholders believe their province has the least reliable information

regarding the true

situation of the wood supply, Some feel that a large amount of roundwood is being exported out of the province, but no one is sure how much is leaving or where it is going.

Nova Scotia lacks markets (primarily

hardwood)

age of pulpwood

for certain

available.

nized marketing

New Brunswick

species

and has a larger percentThere are no orga-

boards for raw material,

such as

A planned

expansion

significant

unemployment

an impending

those that exist in New Brunswick.

in the sawmill industry, in the northeast,

budworm

epidemic

and

forecast for

the year 2000 are all adding to the threats already facing New Brunswick’s

forests. There is

a general feeling that this province

Prince Edward Island Several unique woodlots

associated

with private

on the Island are linked to the agricul-

tural nature pressure

problems

wood being harvested

of this province.

to convert

There is increasing

use because of the expanding This is compounded

potato

industry.

by the fact that almost

90 per cent of the resource (the highest percentage

is privately

owned

of all the Maritime

owners are also farmers, woodlot

woodlots

on incomes

and less concerned

ability of the resource.

about the sustainowner

groups are considered

largely ineffective.

has a major influence

on marketing,

practices

and government

and non-fibre

scape, recreation, unsustainable

of the tourism

values -

aesthetics

such as land-

and water quality -

forest practices

could severely

affect the lifestyles and incomes dents. As an example, dence on ground sustainable

of Island resi-

the province’s

total depen-

water for drinking

means that

it is critical to maintain building

This

contractors’

policy.

Because of the importance industry

own-

from their

The woodlot

forest cover and practise

forest management of the Confederation

techniques.

on this province’s

of its proximity

to Maine.

in New Brunswick

harvesting

and clear cutting

land is seen as another

potential

to restrict on private

problem.

People may over cut now to avoid future ramifi-

units are small and most

ers are less dependent

because

Draft legislation

cations

Because production

in the state of

will have the greatest impact

roadside

provinces).

woodlot

able cut. Possible legislation

allow-

Maine that would reduce or ban clear cutting resources

forest land to agricultural

has the most

above the annual

The

Bridge will also

bring the Island closer to markets,

which stake-

holders feel could create a further

threat to sus-

tainability.

of this legislation.

note, stakeholders best organized situation.

On a more positive

feel that the province

in the Maritimes

is the

to deal with the

VI. Recommendations to Stakeholders

Working toward sustainability in the management of private woodlots is a multidisciplined

task

involving many interested parties. Points of tension centre on regulation, administration,

market

demand, value systems, and science and technology. Given these factors, a coordinated response is essential to establish a structure on which to base sustainable woodlot management that will benefit the overall Maritime environment

and economy.

The following

recommendations

are the outcome

to stakeholders

of a nine-month

consultation

process by the NRTEE that included meeting

panel discussion,

identification building

meeting

a plenary

followed by an issues

and a recommendations-

session. The recommendations

far as possible, based on stakeholder Recommendations

are targeted

are, as consensus.

at specific

groups and built upon a series of premises cerning

sustainability,

nication,

cooperation

supply and demand,

vesting methods,

licensing,

tion, codes of practice premises

are outlined

con-

and commu-

tax reform, har-

training,

certifica-

and silviculture.

These

below.

Market

Forces

The looming Maritimes

wood supply crisis in the

requires

supply of and demand generally production

and must be held to sustainable will be challenged response

to consumer

strategic financial tion by industry

should

provinces privately

more than anywhere

present

demand

such enor-

rates of harvesting

This means that meeting

the

from the regionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s forestry sec-

tor will seriously Maritime

are under

that current

are unsustainable.

compromise

communities

is unlikely

and that government

is likely to be politically production

and cooperaunfeasible.

levels are not sustainable.

supply can be difficult

be set at sustainable

the ability of

to remain

viable in the

long term.

allowable

Currently, powerful

projections.

the federal tax system operates disincentive

to sustainability.

woodlot

owners are considered

Revenue

Canada;

provincial

farmers by

agree that federal and

inconsistencies,

ambiguity

it is sometimes

possible

than by managing

it sustainably.

The interconnection

operating

requires

provincial

coordination

and community governments

well-being to work in

to ensure that problems

exported from one Maritime

province

include

property

practices. assessment,

tives for properly

clear cutting

It is agreed that there is considerable for provincial

difficult. to obtain

by prematurely

Provincial Government Cooperation of the regionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s economy,

and gaps

in coverage make forest management

a woodlot

as a

Most

however, their tax treatment

differs. Stakeholders

Ironically,

influences

cut

levels and not be

based on overly optimistic

greater tax benefit

market

politically,

Tax Reform

Nova Scotia and Prince Edward

Island, private woodlots

It is also generally

self-policing

of the regionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s econo-

my and ecology. In many areas of New

mous pressure

objectives.

while achieving

owned forest resources

are critical to the viability Brunswick,

demand

agreed that voluntary regulation

limits. Industry

to exercise a disciplined

but all agree that the annual

Sustainability

It is

forest product

levels are the crux of the problem

Constraining

else in Canada,

for forest products.

agreed that current

Current

In the Maritime

action focused on both the

potential

tax to influence

woodlot

Areas for consideration tax rates and special incen-

managed

woodlots.

are not to another.

Harvesting Logging contractors equipment

by Contractors and the use of mechanical

has caused a dramatic

increase

the pace of logging on small private woodlots the Maritimes.

High unemployment

region leads to a greater number competing

for the resource.

in the of contractors

Certification Certification

of sustainable

an international

forest products

trend creating

opportunities ecologically

over the next 25 years. Immediate

for encouraging sustainable

ment is created in silviculture,

reduce harvest pressure.

significant

(maybe triple it) over a 25year

in Maritime

This expense for thinning

forests. This trend must be followed in order for Maritime

businesses

preserve market

to remain

period.

should be an eli-

gible expense against income.

competitive,

access and meet growing

This investment

would double the value of the patch

and rewarding

practices

employ-

which could

pub-

lic expectations.

Permit intergenerational woodlot

property

transfers

and promote

sustainable

forest harvest practices through

the use of

capital gains tax.

Silviculture and Science The termination

of the federal-provincial

Forest Resource

Development

ated a substantial

Agreements

cre-

out silviculture

to do this. It is generally

that those who benefit should be generated

Ideally, this money

supplemented

from the provincial

government

on behalf of

science leading

to and the

providing

and economic

benefits.

investments

be an eligible expense against income. example,

a woodlot

holdings

management

and equipment

by investing

and control

over their timber

Modify the property

tax regimes to reward

owners for good forest manageon owners

who allow poor forest-operating

practices

on their land.

For l

Jointly organize

consultations

hectare patch of small young trees, so thick

stakeholders

that growth

nisms to achieve a sustainable

is very slow. If the woodlot

owner can double

to vest them with

ment and to impose penalties

owner has a four-

owner invests $2,500 in thinning

initia-

for wood harvest-

Work with First Nations

woodlot

enable forest man-

such as silviculture

timber

Recommendations to Provincial Governments

owners as small business

owners. The tax should

with First

assets.

Reform the federal tax system to treat private woodlot

woodlot

full authority

both

Recommendations to the Federal Government

agement

in consultation

ing.

will be forestry

understanding

of technology

environmental

Revitalize,

on-reserve

Service.

tives that create expertise

ecological

development

Forestry

training

research and applied enhanced

bodies as the

Canadian

supporting

other users. A major part of any solution

such national

Nations,

by contributions

the

capacity to provide

research and data collection

through

from the selling price of

to the sector.

Reaffirm the need for and maintain scientific

agreed

from the resource

should pay for its renewal.

benefits

federal governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

to carry

on their land and there now are

few incentives

the product,

money

can offer both environmental

and economic

gap in a forest management

require consistent

that forestry research and

science with the development

technology

strategy that relies heavily on silviculture. Landowners

Recognize applied

today, the

regional

the growth of these trees

export.

to determine

fibre consumption,

with all

the best mechalevel of harvest and

Examine

the role of marketing

other organizations ing a sustainable

Recommendations Fibre Industry

boards or

in setting and enforclevel of harvest.

Develop with regional an accountable sustainable

owners and buyers

method

for administering

forest management

to ensure that funds are available culture,

forest management

restoration

trust fund

Recognize

that industryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

harvesting

is not sustainable.

training

for silvi-

expansion

will only create greater competi-

not economically l

jointly

programs

and licensing

for mandatory

Initiate

to support

tification

for sustainable

forest products

level of fibre consumption

Develop mechanisms

in consultation

woodlot

of production.

Standards

in bal-

levels of harvesting.

Council,

Association

a sus-

ance with sustainable

such as those of the Forest Stewardship Standards

process by imme-

in a sector forum to pursue

action aimed at achieving

tainable

efforts to develop cer-

the Canadian

feasible.

a self-regulating

voluntary

of logging contractors.

Continue

level of

Further

and ecological

work.

Establish

current

tion for the existing supply and is therefore

diately joining l

to the

with

owners to define sustainable

levels

and the International l

Organization.

Establish

with woodlot

owners a trust fund,

to be held by a mutually

agreed-upon

party, whereby

of the selling price

a portion

third

from every cord sold would be dedicated sustainable l

forest management

Provide leadership milling

through

practices.

the pulp, saw-

and other fibre-using

and support

the development

tory training

and licensing

industries of mandaprograms

for

contractors. l

Develop and honour sustainable

codes of practice

forest management

lored to local forest conditions owners, contractors Maritimes.

and fibre users in the

a multistakeholder

should support sustainable

that are taifor woodlot

These codes of practice,

oped through

for

devel-

process,

the overall principles

forest management

and the

work that has already been completed

this area such as the Code of Practice for P.E.I. Forest Contractors, Brunswick

Woodlot

Practice, the Canadian Ministersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;

Criteria

rent certification

Council

of Indicators, options.

strive for consistency,

the New

Ownersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Code of of Forest and cur-

The codes should

where possible,

among the provinces. menting

Options

ble mechanisms ance through

Recommendations to Provincial Round Tables

for imple-

the codes could include from voluntary

all possicompli-

to legislation.

Recognize woodlot

Work with First Nations required

skills and potential

in woodlot l

Support

to help identify

each organizationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

efforts to develop certification forest products

the Forest Stewardship Canadian

Standards

International

Council,

the

party, whereby

agreed-upon

a portion

third

of the selling price

from every cord sold would be dedicated sustainable l

forest management

Develop mechanisms

practices.

in consultation

buyers to define sustainable

with

levels of pro-

duction. l

Through

the multistakeholder

develop and honour sustainable

process,

codes of practice

forest management

remains

for

that are tai-

lored to local forest conditions.

a key topic of

agenda.

with the other Maritime

tum is maintained.

and the

with buyers a trust fund, to be

held by a mutually

Cooperate

of the private

Tables to ensure that the present

Organization.

Recommendations Woodlot Owners Establish

such as those of

Association

Standards

for

nature

and take appropriate

to ensure that over harvesting

private woodlots

management.

sustainable

measures

opportunities

the regional situation

Round

momen-

VII. Conclusion

Consultations by the NRTEE reveal that government, industry, environmental

and community

leaders agree that current harvesting activity on Maritime private woodlots is unsustainable. Moreover, the problems associated with private woodlot management in the Maritimes require immediate attention and effective action. The NRTEE has produced this report to help stakeholders take the action needed to put private woodlot management on the road to sustainability.

While this report encapsulates

the current

of the debate on private woodlot in the Maritimes,

participants

state

management

in the consulta-

tion process believe there is a need to continue the dialogue. appropriate

Some feel that the NRTEE is the body for continuing

to convene

process and to bring people together different

Maritime

provinces.

the

from the

The important

point is that a process is needed to ensure that the current

dialogue,

momentum

of this issue are maintained In response,

at a regional

the NRTEE is circulating

report as broadly the urgency

and awareness

this

as possible to communicate

of the situation.

will be referring

level.

As well, the NRTEE

the issue of federal tax reform

initiatives

for private woodlots

Greening

of the Budget process.

to the 19%

Appendix 1: Forestry Data

Note: Some members of the NRTEE Task Force and some participants in the consultations feel that the tables on these pages do not tell the true story, since they do not reflect suspected over harvesting of sawlogs and underutilization of large quantities of lower quality wood.

Table 1: Productive Forest Areas, 1990

Table 2: Woodlot Owners and Marketing Boards in New Brunswick

Table 3: Private Woodlot Profile for Maritime Canada

Table 4: Woodlot National Harvest, 1990

Table 5: Annual Allowable Cut from Small Woodlots, 1994, in m3 The annual allowable cut (AAC) in the Maritimes is the maximum amount of wood that can be cut in any given area, with the assumption that this same amount of wood (other forest values not necessarily taken into account) can be cut in perpetuity.

Table 6: Small Woodlot Sales of Softwood via Marketing Boards in New Brunswick, 1991-96, and Annual Allowable Cut (AAC) from Small Woodlots, in m3

Table 7: Small Woodlot Harvesting in Nova Scotia, 1991-96, in m3

Appendix 2: Program Participants

Private Woodlot Management in the Maritimes: Program Events and Participants Brian Brown Forestry Division P.E.I. Dept. of Agriculture,

May 23-24,1996 Newcastle, New Brunswick Panel Discussion

Max Cater Executive Director New Brunswick Forest Products

Max Cater

Executive Director New Brunswick Forest Products David Coon Policy Director New Brunswick

Conservation

Peter deMarsh President Canadian Federation

Association

Andrew Clark President New Brunswick

Council

of Woodlot

& Forestry

Association

of Woodlot

Timber

Owners

Ltd.

Blair DeGrace Forestry Services Superintendent Fraser Papers Inc.

Owners

Peter deMarsh President Canadian Federation

Keith Ellwood Group Ventures Association

of Woodlot

Owners

Patricia Dietz Manager, Corporate Communications Stora Port Hawkesbury Ltd.

Harold Hatheway EastWind Productions

Gkrard Dupuis General Manager Delco Forest Products

November 15,1996 Multistakeholder Workshop Waverley, Nova Scotia

Keith Ellwood Group Ventures

Facilitator

Ltd.

Association

Diane Grijjin Deputy Minister P.E.I. Environmental

Anne Camozzi President EcoLogic 8 Associates

Resources

Harold Hatheway EastWind Productions Eric Hundert Nova Scotia Provincial Environment Canada

Land Use

Elizabeth Atkinson Policy Advisor, NRTEE David Barrett Barrett Lumber

Federation

Arnold Croken Manager, Georgetown

Jack Dunlop Bowater Mersey Paper Co. Ltd.

Jean-Paul Arsenault Executive Director P.E.I. Round Table on Resource and Stewardship

Fisheries

Manager

Peter Jackson C.I.F.

John Levy Manager S.N.B. Wood Co-op Ltd.

Co. Ltd.

Peter MacQuarrie Director, Program Development Renewable Resources Branch N.S. Dept. of Natural Resources

Jim Verboom General Manager Nova Scotia Woods Co-op Nova Scotia Voluntary Planning

Bruce McCallum P.E.I. Woodlot Owners Association

Russ Waycott Vice-President, Woodlands Stora Port Hawkesbury Ltd.

John McDougall Manager, Riverside Forestry Ian Millar Policy & Liaison Canadian Forestry

Robin Wilber President Elmsdale Lumber

Ltd.

Service

Lee Nauss Nova Scotia Primary Marketing Board

February 20,1997 Multistakeholder Workshop Moncton, New Brunswick

Forest Products

Joseph Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Neill Chair, NRTEE Woodlands Task Force Vice-President, Woodlands Division Repap New Brunswick Inc.

Facilitator Anne Camozzi President EcoLogic & Associates

Jonathan M. Porter Woodlands Manager Bowater Mersey Paper Co. Ltd. John W Roblee Forest Group Venture Association Scotia

Jean-Paul Arsenault Executive Director P.E.I. Round Table on Resource Land Use and Stewardship

of Nova

David Barrett Barrett Lumber

Tom Sifton Executive Director Association of Registered Professional Foresters of New Brunswick

Andrew Clark President N.B. Federation

of Woodlot

Fisheries

& Forestry

Owners

Jo Anne Craib Pugwash, N.S.

Association

Everett Tanner E.E. Tanner Lumbering

Co. Ltd.

Brian Brown Forestry Division PE.1. Dept. of Agriculture,

Colin Stewart Federation of Nova Scotia Naturalists Steve Talbot Executive Director N.S. Forest Products

Co.

Donald Deacon Island Trails

Ltd.

Steve Thompson Chair in Sustainable Development University of New Brunswick Faculty of Forestry & Environmental Management

Jonas Deacon Island Trails Blair DeGrace Forestry Services Superintendent Fraser Papers Inc.

James Tomkins President Highland Pulp Ltd.

Peter deMarsh President Canadian Federation

Ken Vasiliauskas Carleton Victoria Wood Producers Association

of Woodlot

Ian Dennison Chairperson P.E.I. Forest Improvement 43

Owners

Association

Tom Sifton Executive Director Association of Registered

Harold Hatheway EastWind Productions John Levy Manager S.N.B. Wood Co-op Ltd. Waddie Long Forestry Today Port Hawkesbury,

Foresters

of New Brunswick Tom Spinney Director, Forest Management New Brunswick Environment

Branch Department

Steve Thompson Chair in Sustainable Development University of New Brunswick Faculty of Forestry & Environmental Management

N.S.

John MacLellan C.I.F. Peter MacQuarrie Director, Program Development Renewable Resources Branch N.S. Dept. of Natural Resources

James Tomkins President Highland Pulp Ltd.

Elizabeth May Executive Director Sierra Club of Canada

Mary van den Heuvel Woodlot Owner St. Andrews, N.S.

Bruce McCallum P.E.I. Woodlot Owners Association Ian Millar Policy & Liaison Canadian Forestry

Professional

Jim Verboom General Manager Nova Scotia Woods Co-op Nova Scotia Voluntary Planning

Service

Russ Waycott Vice-President, Woodlands Stora Port Hawkesbury Ltd.

Dennis Nicholas Mawiw Council of First Nations Joseph Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Neill Chair, NRTEE Woodlands Task Force Vice-President, Woodlands Division Repap New Brunswick Inc.

Robin Wilber President Elmsdale Lumber

Ben Paul Pabineau First Nation Jonathan M. Porter Woodlands Manager Bowater Mersey Paper Co. Ltd.

Co.