Public Input on Forestry Regulations
Department of Natural Resources
June 11, 1999 10:51 AM
The Department of Natural Resources has released draft
regulations supporting amendments to the Forests Act. The
regulations are now available for review and comment by the
public.
"The new draft regulations take major steps toward ensuring the
forests of Nova Scotia are sustainably managed," said Natural
Resources Minister Kennie MacAskill.
This is the second major step in implementing the province's
forest strategy. The first step occurred in January 1998 with the
establishment of the Registry of Buyers, a tool used to collect
annual information on forest harvest and production of secondary
forest products.
The proposed wood sustainability regulations would require
registered buyers who acquire more than 10,000 cubic metres solid
(4,540 cords) of primary forest products in a year to submit an
annual wood acquisition plan. The plan will describe the actions
they intend to take to ensure a sustainable wood supply.
"The wood sustainability regulations and other elements of the
forest strategy will ensure responsible management of the forests
by the industry," said Mr. MacAskill. "They will also ensure we
meet our long-term wood supply needs."
Wildlife habitat management regulations are also being circulated
for public reaction. These draft regulations would affect how
forests are harvested to ensure protection of watersheds,
including wetlands. They would also ensure protection of habitat
for wildlife that use cavity trees or dead and fallen trees.
These regulations are based on the current Forest/Wildlife
Guidelines and Standards, and will apply to both private and
Crown land.
Both sets of draft regulations, along with explanatory documents,
are available for review at Department of Natural Resources
offices, regional public libraries and Access Nova Scotia
centres. They can also be downloaded from the Internet at the
department's website: www.gov.ns.ca/natr/forestry/. The public
will have 30 days to review the documents. Comments can be sent
to:
Department of Natural Resources
Registrar, Registry of Buyers
P.O. Box 68
Truro, N.S.
B2N 5B8
Fax: 902-893-5662
E-mail: regbuyer@gov.ns.ca
Open houses will be held at three locations June 24 when staff
will be available to answer questions about the regulations. The
sessions will run from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. to 9:30
p.m. at:
- Best Western Glengarry, Salon D, 150 Willow St., Truro
- Nautical Institute, main foyer, 226 Reeves St., Port Hawkesbury
- Lions Club Hall, 87 Parade St., Yarmouth
NOTE: The following is intended for use by broadcast media.
The public is being asked for input on new draft
regulations that support amendments to Nova Scotia's
Forests Act.
The proposed regulations would require some buyers to
file a plan describing what steps they will take to ensure
a sustainable wood supply.
Wildlife habitat management regulations are also being
circulated for public reaction.
They set out guidelines for forest harvesting to ensure
protection of watersheds and wildlife habitat.
Natural Resources Minister Kennie MacAskill says the
regulations are major steps toward ensuring Nova Scotia's
forests are managed in a sustainable way.
The regulations can be reviewed at Natural Resources
offices, public libraries, Access Nova Scotia centres,
and on the Internet.
Open houses will also be held June 24th in Truro,
Port Hawkesbury and Yarmouth so Natural Resources staff
can answer any questions.
-30-
Contact: Nancy McInnis Leek
Natural Resources
902-893-5749
E-mail: nrmcinni@gov.ns.ca
John Whidden
Natural Resources
902-424-5252
E-mail: whiddejl@gov.ns.ca
arc June 11, 1999 10:51 a.m.
The Department of Natural Resources has released draft
regulations supporting amendments to the Forests Act. The
regulations are now available for review and comment by the
public.
"The new draft regulations take major steps toward ensuring the
forests of Nova Scotia are sustainably managed," said Natural
Resources Minister Kennie MacAskill.
This is the second major step in implementing the province's
forest strategy. The first step occurred in January 1998 with the
establishment of the Registry of Buyers, a tool used to collect
annual information on forest harvest and production of secondary
forest products.
The proposed wood sustainability regulations would require
registered buyers who acquire more than 10,000 cubic metres solid
(4,540 cords) of primary forest products in a year to submit an
annual wood acquisition plan. The plan will describe the actions
they intend to take to ensure a sustainable wood supply.
"The wood sustainability regulations and other elements of the
forest strategy will ensure responsible management of the forests
by the industry," said Mr. MacAskill. "They will also ensure we
meet our long-term wood supply needs."
Wildlife habitat management regulations are also being circulated
for public reaction. These draft regulations would affect how
forests are harvested to ensure protection of watersheds,
including wetlands. They would also ensure protection of habitat
for wildlife that use cavity trees or dead and fallen trees.
These regulations are based on the current Forest/Wildlife
Guidelines and Standards, and will apply to both private and
Crown land.
Both sets of draft regulations, along with explanatory documents,
are available for review at Department of Natural Resources
offices, regional public libraries and Access Nova Scotia
centres. They can also be downloaded from the Internet at the
department's website: www.gov.ns.ca/natr/forestry/. The public
will have 30 days to review the documents. Comments can be sent
to:
Department of Natural Resources
Registrar, Registry of Buyers
P.O. Box 68
Truro, N.S.
B2N 5B8
Fax: 902-893-5662
E-mail: regbuyer@gov.ns.ca
Open houses will be held at three locations June 24 when staff
will be available to answer questions about the regulations. The
sessions will run from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. to 9:30
p.m. at:
- Best Western Glengarry, Salon D, 150 Willow St., Truro
- Nautical Institute, main foyer, 226 Reeves St., Port Hawkesbury
- Lions Club Hall, 87 Parade St., Yarmouth
NOTE: The following is intended for use by broadcast media.
The public is being asked for input on new draft
regulations that support amendments to Nova Scotia's
Forests Act.
The proposed regulations would require some buyers to
file a plan describing what steps they will take to ensure
a sustainable wood supply.
Wildlife habitat management regulations are also being
circulated for public reaction.
They set out guidelines for forest harvesting to ensure
protection of watersheds and wildlife habitat.
Natural Resources Minister Kennie MacAskill says the
regulations are major steps toward ensuring Nova Scotia's
forests are managed in a sustainable way.
The regulations can be reviewed at Natural Resources
offices, public libraries, Access Nova Scotia centres,
and on the Internet.
Open houses will also be held June 24th in Truro,
Port Hawkesbury and Yarmouth so Natural Resources staff
can answer any questions.
-30-
Contact: Nancy McInnis Leek
Natural Resources
902-893-5749
E-mail: nrmcinni@gov.ns.ca
John Whidden
Natural Resources
902-424-5252
E-mail: whiddejl@gov.ns.ca
arc June 11, 1999 10:51 a.m.