A new Public Forest Council has been established by the provincial government to help broaden the use of provincially-owned forest lands. The Council will encourage discussion about the use of the Island's 80,000 acres of public forest land and to promote the development of non-traditional and non-consumptive forest products. The Public Forest Council is comprised of nine members with backgrounds in a variety of ecological, economic and community development activities.
This forest land includes lands managed by the Departments of Agriculture and Forestry; Aquaculture, Fisheries and Environment; Transportation and Public Works; and other departments.
Premier Pat Binns said the Council has been given the mandate to promote new economic opportunities on public forest lands. "Government recognizes that these lands have been well managed for timber, wildlife, tourism and environmental protection, but we also realize that there are additional ways to expand wealth creation initiatives on public forest lands," said Premier Binns. "We want individuals and Island communities to become more involved in the identification of sustainable wealth creation initiatives for these lands."
Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, Mitch Murphy, outlined government's expectations for the Council. "Each member was selected for their skills and background, so that the Council can draw on a wide range of expertise," said Mr. Murphy. "I feel that this combination of public and private sector experience, along with members' knowledge of forest, community development, tourism, wildlife, and business, should make the Public Forest Council an effective and efficient body."
Mr. Murphy said that provincially-owned forest lands will still be working forests where traditional products are harvested and sold, but these could also incorporate good examples of multiple use. "These public forests will serve as examples of sustainable and environmentally-friendly development of which Islanders can continue to be proud," he said.
Council Chair, Dr. Ian MacQuarrie, is encouraging Island communities to consider the benefits public forest lands could bring to their area and present ideas for the consideration of the Council. "The Council is interested in hearing people's ideas on the many potential uses of the public forest," he said. "Discussion and dialogue will be encouraged in a number of ways, including holding public meetings in different areas of the province."
The private sector Public Forest Council members include Dr. Ian MacQuarrie of Hazelgrove, Lily Baker from Beach Point, Carol Livingstone from West Point, John Curley from Fort Augustus, James McCabe from Souris, and Albert Arsenault from St. Gilbert. The three public sector members are Jerry Gavin and Dan McAskill, from the Department of Agriculture and Forestry, and Rosemary Curley from the Department of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Environment.