September 11, 1998
(Development and Rural Renewal)

Minister releases consultation paper on use of outdoor resources

Beaton Tulk, Minister of Development and Rural Renewal and Chair of the Cabinet Committee on Rural Revitalization, today released the pre-consultation document in advance of public meetings on the use of outdoor resources.

Minister Tulk, who chairs the Committee of Ministers and MHAs on the Use of Outdoor Resources, said the pre-consultation document introduces the central themes and principles of the discussion and invites stakeholders and the general public to participate in the public consultation process.

The process will provide an opportunity for people to comment on the use of outdoor resources such as fish, wildlife and the environment. Issues pertaining to outdoor use include, among others, access to rivers, community watershed management, and concerns about construction of outfitters lodges.

The committee will hold public meetings throughout the province this fall. Meetings will be held in St. John's, Marystown, Clarenville, Placentia, Springdale, Grand Falls-Windsor, Gander, Harbour Breton, Pasadena, Stephenville, Port Saunders, St. Anthony, Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Cartwright, Churchill Falls, Labrador City and L'Anse au Clair.

Interested groups and individuals may attend these public meetings and/or forward written submissions to Minister Tulk, c/o Committee on Use of Outdoor Resources, 2nd Floor, Confederation Building, West Block, P.O. Box 8700, St. John's, NF, A1B 4J6. Submissions may also be faxed to (709) 729-5645. Deadline for written submissions is October 23.

Anyone planning on making a presentation to the committee at a public meeting is invited to pre-register by calling toll-free 1-877-729-0084 or, in the St. John's area, 729-0084. Pre-registration will ensure time is allocated for everyone who wishes to make representation to the committee.

Time will also be made available at each public meeting for questions and comments from the floor.

The pre-consultation document may be accessed on the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador web site at / or by calling the toll-free number above. The document will also be available at Government Service Centres in St. John's, Clarenville, Gander, Grand Falls-Windsor, Corner Brook, Happy Valley-Goose Bay and Labrador City.

Minister Tulk said he encourages everyone who is interested in the issues raised concerning the use of outdoor resources in recent months to participate in the consultation.

"The committee's goal is to discuss all relevant issues in a public forum and build consensus on how we can properly preserve access to our outdoors for all citizens of Newfoundland and Labrador," said Minister Tulk. "At the same time, we must also protect and conserve our resources for the enjoyment and benefit of future generations."

Joining Minister Tulk in the consultation are committee members Forest Resources and Agrifoods Minister Kevin Aylward; Tourism, Culture and Recreation Minister Sandra Kelly; Government Services and Lands Minister Ernest McLean; Environment and Labour Minister Oliver Langdon; Robert Mercer, MHA - Humber East; and, Graham Flight, MHA - Windsor-Springdale.

Media contact: Scott Reid, Communications, (709) 729-4570.

SCHEDULE:

September 23 Springdale, Harbour Breton
September 25 Gander, Grand Falls-Windsor
September 30 Stephenville
October 1 Pasadena
October 2 Port Saunders, St. Anthony
October 5 Marystown, Clarenville
October 6 Placentia, St. John's
October 13 Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Cartwright
October 14 Churchill Falls, Labrador City
October 15 L'Anse au Clair

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PRE-CONSULTATION DOCUMENT

CONSULTATION PROCESS ON THE USE OF OUTDOOR RESOURCES

1998 09 11 2:30 p.m.