Submission by Ray Dahn
Your Vision:
Forest would be managed in a sustainable manner with uneven aged practices. Harvesting method of clearcutting would be reduced from 98% of all harvesting to a justifiable 20%. Tax incentives given to woodlot owners practicing sustainable silviculture. Higher value roundwood and increased employment in NS forests as a result
Strengths:
The strength of NS Forests is decreasing rapidly with the 98% clearcutting harvesting and the replanting only of red spruce and pine. Climate change effects and disease can further decrease the strength of the forest under current operations. Only encouraging biodiversity and educating the public to the poor state of current forestry practices can change the condition of NS forests.
Barriers and Issues:
Incompetence - stupidity - Government's commitment to large corporation interests ie. paper mills - lack of public concern - encouraging large single species plantations - capital intensive harvesting equipment which not only requires clearcutting sites but reduces the work force in the forest
Community's Priorities:
setting ecological silviculture practices - recreating a sense of stewardship for the NS forest in Government and in the general public - aiding the small woodlot owner who contributes about 50% of roundwood harvested/yr through NDR extension services and through incentives given for good management such as tax incentives and public recognition
Guiding the health and sustainability:
Stewardship - Transparency - ecological concerns -
Additional Comments:
I disagree with this current VP process -it is not what was originally announced - an opportunity for the public to offer wide ranging briefs in public on what is needed to correct the current state of forestry in NS