The Forest Partnership Council issued a report on the results of the first six month's monitoring of the Code of Practice for Harvest Contractors. In April 1997, the code was implemented, on a voluntary basis, as an effort by Prince Edward Island's forest industry to establish a set of ground rules for harvest operations and to encourage the industry to act in a responsible manner.
As partners in the development of the code, the province agreed to monitor the industry's activities and measure their level of compliance, while the Forest Partnership Council agreed to release those findings in a public statement. Over the past few months, Forestry Division staff have collected code-related data from harvest sites across the province. This data includes information on the number of contractors who have signed-up and reported harvest sites, as well as stand age, wildlife habitat protection, and compliance with several environmental regulations.
Recently, the Council met to review a report on the initial findings. This report indicates that, overall, the harvest industry is not complying with the code and its standards. To date, only 19 of Prince Edward Island's 45 harvest contractors have signed up and agreed to abide by the Code of Practice. Almost 60 percent of the monitored sites failed by one or a combination of infractions such as cutting underaged stands, leaving litter on-site, and cutting or using equipment in stream buffer zones. The Council also expressed concern that less that 10 percent of harvest contractors are reporting their work sites for the assessment process, making it more difficult to obtain the necessary information.
Monitoring will continue at a rate of 32 sites per month. In order to increase contractor understanding and comfort level with the standards of the code, the Forestry Division offered to work with contractors to explain and clarify the assessment process.
However, the Council also noted several bright spots. For instance, the level of compliance by certified contractors exceeded the performance of non-certified contractors. The Council felt this indicated that the code could meet the needs of the forest resource and the forest community if the industry as a whole cooperates.
The council also reaffirmed its support for the forest-related recommendations of the Round Table on Resource Land Use and Stewardship. That report recommended that government and industry develop a system to ensure softwood harvesting controls and adequate reforestation by March 31, 1998. If an agreement is not reached by that date, the report recommended that government should legislate controls immediately. The council will move to meet that deadline with strategies that address the issues facing Prince Edward Island's forest sector.
Copies of the Prince Edward Island Forest Harvest Industry Code of Practice Monitoring Summary Report are available through the Forest Partnership Council members or by contacting the Forestry Division at (902) 368-4700.