All forest contractors in Prince Edward Island must comply with a new Code of Practice after January 1, 2000, but landowners will be exempted from any restrictions when harvesting on their own lands. These two key initiatives are part of a new 11-point Forest Action Plan announced by Agriculture and Forestry Minister Eric Hammill today. The Action Plan is the provincial government's response to recommendations from the Legislature's Standing Committee on Agriculture, Forestry and Environment.
"This new Action Plan sets out a broad range of initiatives and commitments aimed at the issues facing the Island's forests as well as those of industry, landowners, government and the public," said Mr. Hammill. "It is also aimed at addressing public and industry concerns about softwood harvest levels, the extent of reforestation, and the need to sustainably manage our forest resources for present and future generations of Islanders."
Mr. Hammill said that in addition to the establishment of forest harvest standards for contractors, the department will be increasing the level of reforestation from 2.7 to 3.0 million seedlings by the year 2000. The department will be implementing a forest education program for woodlot owners to make them make more informed management decisions for their woodlots. It will also provide information sessions to contractors on the provisions of the new Code of Practice, along with training programs in specialized practices such as riparian zone treatments, selective harvesting and thinning.
As part of the new Forest Action Plan, Mr. Hammill announced the establishment of a new Forest Improvement Advisory Council to replace the Forest Partnership Council. The new Advisory Council will include woodlot owners, contractors, sawmillers and environmental and conservation groups.
"The Forest Partnership Council has made a great contribution to establishing a foundation for the sustainable management of our forest resources and in the development of standards for contractors," said Mr. Hammill. "The new Advisory Council will provide government with extensive and wide-ranging advice on areas relating to forestry policies and programs."
Another major initiative included in the new 11-point Action Plan is the establishment of a system of 22 Provincial Forests across Prince Edward Island, consisting of upwards of 50,000 acres. The department will involve the public in managing these large blocks of land for their maximum economic and environmental benefits.
The department will also be conducting a comprehensive land use inventory and track the annual forest harvest to determine sustainable harvest levels. An annual "State of the Forest" report on the harvest, management, and other trends will be released to the public.
"As a government, we have heard the views of the industry and the public, and the Action Plan I am announcing today is a clear demonstration of the government's commitment to the future of the forest industry and of our forests," said the Minister.
BACKGROUNDER
SUSTAINING PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND'S PUBLIC AND PRIVATE FOREST
THE FOREST ACTION PLAN
Summary
The Department of Agriculture and Forestry has developed an 11-point Forest Action Plan outlining government's response to the recommendations of the Standing Committee on Agriculture, Forestry, and Environment's report on the Forest Contractors Code of Practice proposal. This 11-point Plan offers a broad range of initiatives and commitments designed to deal with many of the issues facing the Island's forests as well as those of industry, land owners and government.
Background
Trees and forests cover almost 50 percent of Prince Edward Island's land surface and 90 percent of this resource is privately owned. Over the past few years, harvest pressure has increased to record highs as demand for softwood products has grown. While this has had many positive impacts such as increased employment, income for land owners, and expansion of industrial capacity, it has also lead to concerns about the sustainability of the private land resource, and the impact the harvest will have on other economic sectors, the Island landscape, and the natural environment.
In order to address these concerns, and balance the rights of landowners with the needs of the forest, the forest sector and society, the Department of Agriculture and Forestry has developed an 11-point Forest Action Plan. Each action is designed to address one or more of the issues facing Prince Edward Island's forests in a fair and effective fashion. While most of these actions pertain to private land forests, some will also apply to public lands in order to demonstrate government's commitment to sustainable forestry.
Highlights
Some of the highlights of the 11-point plan are that:
A. Land owners will be exempted from the regulation
B. All commercial harvest contractors will be licensed with the province
C. A new Forest Improvement Advisory Council will be established
D. Reforestation will be increased to 3,000,000 seedlings per year
E. Provincial Forests will be proclaimed
While the new Forest Contractors Code of Practice regulations will not come into effect until January 1, 2000, many other aspects of the 11-point plan will move forward as soon as possible. The following document has been prepared to explain the implications of each point and the benefits for the forest resource, for land owners, and for society.
If you have any further questions or comments in regard to the 11-point Forest Action Plan, contact the Department of Agriculture and Forestry at (902) 368 - 4700.
11 Point Forest Action Plan
Action #1
Amend the Forest Management Act to exempt landowners from the Forest Contractors Code of Practice. The amended Act will be released to forest sector groups and the public for their review.
Commercial Harvest Contractors will become the sole focus of the amended Act and land owners will be removed from any restrictions when harvesting on their own lands. Prior to debate in the Legislature, the Forest Management Act amendment will be released to woodlot owner groups and the public to ensure that the amendment is clearly understood.
Benefits:
* Land owners will be free to manage and harvest their land as they see fit.
* The Forest Management Act amendment will be released to the public and stakeholders.
Action #2
Implement the Forest Contractors Code of Practice by January 1, 2000 to ensure the protection of young stands and the forest environment.
The Forest Contractors Code of Practice will be come law on January 1, 2000. On that date, all Commercial Harvest Contractors must be registered with the Province and must comply with the new legislation when working on private or public lands.
Benefits:
* Commercial Harvest Contractors must offer a standard contract to land owners. A variety of harvest, environmental, and business factors will be specified in a contract.
* Land owners will have access to a harvest industry which must meet common environmental and forest harvest standards.
* More land owners will become aware of reforestation and forest management programs.
* Land owners will be able to make management decisions before the stand is harvested.
Action #3
The Department will begin information sessions to ensure that Commercial Harvest Contractors are aware of their obligations under the amended Act.
The Department will offer information sessions to ensure that Contractors are informed and aware of their obligations under the Forest Contractors Code of Practice proposal.
Benefits:
* These sessions will ensure that contractors understand how to gather the required information and complete the Intent to Harvest Form accurately, and that they understand their obligations under the proposed legislation.
* All commercial harvest sites must be registered prior to harvest. This will provide natural resource managers with an accurate and up-to-date picture of current harvest and its impact on the total forest resource.
*Commercial Harvest Contractor must provide information on reforestation and forest management programs to the land owner.
Action #4
Appoint a Forest Improvement Advisory Council to replace the Forest Partnership Council.
A Forest Improvement Advisory Council will be appointed by the Minister of Agriculture and Forestry to replace the existing Forest Partnership Council. The Council will advise government on areas affecting private land forest policy and programs. Council members will be appointed under the Forest Management Act from land owner groups and forest industry associations as well as conservation organizations.
Benefits:
* The Forest Improvement Advisory Council will provide government with extensive and wide-ranging advice on areas pertaining to private land forest policy and programs.
* Council members will come from many areas of society including woodlot owner, contractor, sawmiller and environmental/conservation groups.
Action #5
Develop and implement a Forest Education Program for Woodlot Owners.
Island land owners will have access to education programs which will help them to make informed harvest and management decisions for their woodlands.
Benefits:
* The program will focus on a wide range of social, economic and environmental values.
* Informed land owners will make informed management and harvest choices for their forests.
* Informed land owners will be aware of other forest values.
Action #6
A. Conduct a comprehensive land use inventory of public and private forest resources, and track the annual forest harvest in order to determine sustainable harvest levels.
B. Consult with industry to ensure that the inventory addresses the forest sector's concern about the accuracy of data and initiate an independent review to ensure that Prince Edward Island's inventory methodology adheres to national standards.
The Forestry Division will conduct an independent review of its forest inventory procedures to ensure that they meet or exceed national standards. Information from the Intent to Harvest Forms will also provide up-to-date harvest-related information.
In 2000, the Province will conduct a Comprehensive Land Use Inventory. This information will be used to update forest growth and development models and allow forest managers to adjust policies and planning accordingly. A Prince Edward Island State of the Forest report will be developed from the Inventory information and released to the public in 2002.
Benefits:
* Forest managers, land owners, Industry, and the public will be kept up to date and informed about the trends and issues affecting private and public forests.
* Any issues identified during the Inventory review process will be used to correct or amend inventory procedures.
* The information contained in the Intent to Harvest Forms, which must be registered for all commercial harvests, will provide a cost effective and accurate method of tracking the current harvest and identifying sites for reforestation.
Action #7
Develop a training program to assist contractors in specialized forest treatments such as riparian zone treatments, selective harvesting and thinning.
The Department of Agriculture and Forestry will develop specialized training programs for contractors who use selective harvesting in suitable forest stands such as quality hardwood stands or riparian zones.
Benefits:
* Harvest contractors will gain a skill set for working in ecologically sensitive areas.
* The Island value-added forest products manufacturing sector will have access to higher quality raw products created by thinning quality hardwood stands.
* The health and productivity of Island streams, rivers and waterways will be enhanced by an industry which uses specialized work skills when working along forested water courses.
Action #8
Proclaim Provincial Forests and consult with the public on the management of Provincial Forests.
The Department of Agriculture and Forestry will establish a system of 22 Provincial Forests across the province. The Forestry Division is responsible for the management of public land forests. This forest covers approximately 19,000 hectares and is divided into small blocks of properties and individual properties scattered across the province.
Benefits:
* The Department of Agriculture and Forestry has identified many operational and management efficiencies that could be achieved by creating 22 Provincial Forests.
* Provincial Forests are compatible with the creation of high quality raw materials for industry, while enhancing wildlife habitat, and other long-term sustainable development programs such as "Green" tourism and recreation opportunities.
* The Department will ensure that these forests are managed with extensive and ongoing public and community input.
Action #9
The Department of Agriculture and Forestry will increase reforestation to 3,000,000 seedlings per year by the year 2000.
The Department of Agriculture and Forestry will increase reforestation to 3,000,000 seedlings per year to ensure that more private land harvest sites are adequately restocked after the harvest.
Benefits:
* More harvest sites will be reforested. This will help to alleviate future wood shortages and help to create higher value forest products.
* Reforestation will enhance economic development, create wealth for land owners, and demonstrate good forest stewardship.
* Reforested sites will contribute to the environmental health of Prince Edward Island, protect streams and water courses, and conserve local landscapes.
Action #10
The Department of Agriculture and Forestry will release an annual State of the Forest Indicators report to keep the public and forest sector informed.
The Department of Agriculture and Forestry will release an annual State of the Forest Indicators report which will contain timely information on the harvest, management, and state of Prince Edward Island's public and private forests
Benefits:
* The Department of Agriculture and Forestry will keep the public and forest sector informed and up to date on forest usage trends and issues.
Action #11
The Department of Agriculture and Forestry will ask the Forest Improvement Advisory Council to further consider recommendations from the standing committee.
Recommendation #8 - Establish a Trust Fund to support land owners who need to harvest young stands for financial hardship.
Recommendation #9 - Explore tax rebates as a method of encouraging land owners to manage their forest lands.
Recommendation #10 - Appoint an independent scaler to arbitrate scaling disputes.
The Minister of Agriculture and Forestry will instruct the Forest Improvement Advisory Council to examine and make recommendations regarding a trust fund for the purchase of young stands, tax rebates which could encourage more forest management, and the appointment of an independent scaler for Prince Edward Island.
Benefits:
* Land owners who are experiencing financial difficulties and wish to sell the stumpage for a young stand could receive financial assistance. This would provide the owner with adequate financial resources while protecting future timber supplies.
* The FIAC will examine tax rebate systems to see if they could have any positive influences on private land forest resources.
* An independent Scaler could arbitrate scaling disputes for mill, exporters, harvest contractors, wood cutters and land owners bu ensuring accurate and fair payment for primary forest products.