The provincial government says they’ve brought in scientists, researchers, and other experts to work on recommendations from the Independent Forestry Review.
Decreasing clearcutting on crown land and moving to a triade approach to the industry were among the recommendations made by Professor Bill Lahey.
The Department of Lands and Forestry adopted the report in spirit last year but there’s still no timeline on when the work will be completed.
That’s led to criticism from some who say clearcuts are still being used too much on crown land.
Minister Iain Rankin says that’s not the case and that clearcutting has decreased, and the department is working to restore mixed species forests.
“What you’re seeing on the ground is a reduction of clearcutting and an increase in retension especially in the long-lived, shade-tolerant species.”
Some advocates also believe WestFor, a consortium of Nova Scotian mills, continues to cut on crown at very high levels.
Rankin confirmed WestFor is operating on an interim lease agreement that was agreed upon just before the forestry review was released.
He says the lease saw a reduction of WestFor’s previous crown land fibre allocation.
Lands and Forestry won’t sign any long term lease agreements until work on the forestry review is completed.
Rankin says they’ll be consulting with stakeholders again as they move forward.
“We’re going to be meeting with stakeholders on June 25 to give them a more thorough break down of the teams we have set in place and different projects we’re working on.”
Meanwhile, the leader of Nova Scotia’s NDP was in Shelburne County yesterday to talk to students and community members concerned with clearcutting.
Gary Burrill believes all clearcutting on crown land should have been stopped until the province developed a plan to tackle the review’s recommendations.
“The main recommendation on this subject from the Lahey Review was that there should be a dramatic, drastic curtailment of clearcutting on the crown lands of the province,” says Burrill.
“Clearcutting has continued on crown land with the government’s foot right on the gas pedal to the mat and I think this is a continuing concern and there’s nothing to address it in what the government said last week.”
Burrill says the province has taken some positive steps in dealing with the review but he still believes a moratorium on clearcutting is necessary.
Twitter: @BrittWentzell
Email: wentzell.brittany@radioabl.ca
