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Consultation Process on the Use of Outdoor Resources
Statement of Principles
All Newfoundlanders and Labradorians enjoy an outdoor heritage that is the
envy of the nation. We have a relationship with the sea and the land that is unique. It is
a relationship that underpins our history, our culture and our traditions. Government is
committed to preserving that special relationship.
Government believes, first and foremost, that our outdoor resources
exist for the use and enjoyment of all citizens of Newfoundland and Labrador.
It is not and never will be this Government=s policy to privatize the outdoors.
Government believes access to our natural resources must be maintained,
but not at the expense of conservation and sustainability. This principle is fundamental
and not open to debate.
Government believes it is possible to develop our tourism and economic
potential through the use of our outdoor resources, but such development will not
compromise access and use by Newfoundlanders and Labradorians.
Government is committed to negotiating equitable land claims agreements
with our Aboriginal peoples, settlement of which may affect management of our outdoor
resources in specific areas of the Province.
Background
Newfoundland and Labrador has more publicly held land than any other
province. Unlike other jurisdictions, we are fortunate to have preserved the common
property nature of our inland waters, wildlife resources and most of our open spaces. The
law generally does not permit private ownership of water bodies and shoreline reservations
are protected under law.
Residents of all areas of the province continue to enjoy ease of access to
the outdoors and our wildlife resources. Sound stewardship practices are critical to the
continued enjoyment of the outdoors given the ever increasing pressures on our wildlife
resources and their habitat.
The attachment to outdoor resources has been based, in part, on their
abundance: thousands of ponds; hundreds of rivers, including 176 scheduled salmon rivers;
annual migrations of birds; herds of caribou; numerous small game; millions of hectares of
forest; and, thousands of hectares of berry-laden barrens.
Historically, this abundance has contributed to the province=s prosperity. For decades these resources have been
the basis for economic development and commercial activities which have been the lifeblood
of many of our rural communities.
The forests have been used to support pulp and paper mills and sawmilling
operations. Fur-bearing animals have been trapped for the fur industry. Salmon stocks have
been commercially harvested at sea. Salmon, trout and big game have attracted non-resident
anglers and hunters to our tourism industry.
On occasion these activities have generated resource-use conflicts which
are at the root of the debate over traditional outdoor rights. Some residents perceive
certain aspects of these commercial activities as Aprivatization@ of outdoor resources; as an attack on the privileges
all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians enjoy.
This is not true. Government believes the economic potential of our
outdoor resources can be maximized without encroaching or adversely impacting on access to
the outdoors that all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians hold dear.
In fact, many of the traditional uses of the outdoors are protected in
existing legislation. Government holds our natural resources in trust. Each resource has a
lawfully prescribed process for access and use. Conservation, sustainability and efficient
use of the resource are the overriding principles in all natural resource management
processes.
Government is committed to protecting our outdoor resources through sound
conservation and sustainable development practices, now and for future generations, while
protecting and maximizing our access to the rich outdoors of Newfoundland and Labrador.
Why is a consultation process being held?
"The goal of this process is to build a consensus on how we can
properly preserve access to our outdoors for people of the province,
protect and conserve our resources and, where appropriate,
allow other legislated uses that support both
recreational activities and economic development."
Honourable Beaton Tulk, June 12, 1998
A great deal of interest has been expressed by groups and individuals
about the future of outdoor policies in Newfoundland and Labrador. Government policy is
that the outdoors remain a public resource to which all citizens have access, keeping in
mind that the outdoors has to be protected for the use of future generations.
In recent months a number of concerns have been expressed about the use
of our outdoor resources. Government has established a Committee of Ministers and Members
of the House of Assembly to hold consultations and discuss these concerns directly with
the people of the province. This Committee will hold consultations throughout the province
during September and October.
Government, through this Committee, wants to hear from all individuals
and groups who share concerns about the protection of our outdoor resources and about the
need to ensure their continued enjoyment and benefit for all citizens of the province.
This public discussion is an effort to build a consensus on how we can
properly preserve access to our outdoors for the people of this province, protect and
conserve our resources and, where appropriate, allow other legislated uses that support
both recreational activities and economic development.
How will the consultation process
work?
Consultations will be done by the Committee, which is chaired by
Development and Rural Renewal Minister Beaton Tulk, and includes: Forest Resources and
Agrifoods Minister Kevin Aylward; Tourism, Culture and Recreation Minster Sandra Kelly;
Government Services and Lands Minister Ernest McLean; Environment and Labour Minister
Oliver Langdon; Robert Mercer (M.H.A., Humber East); and, Graham Flight (M.H.A.,
Windsor-Springdale).
The consultation sessions will be held in September and October. Exact
times and locations will be announced through local media. Interested groups and
individuals may attend these public meetings and/or submit written documents up to October
23, 1998.
Please forward written submissions to:
Honourable Beaton Tulk
Chair - Committee on Use of Outdoor Resources
2nd Floor, Confederation Building, West Block
P.O. Box 8700, St. John's, NF
A1B 4J6
How can I express my views?
You can express your views by:
attending a public meeting in your area - see local papers for the
exact time and location;
completing the
Your Views
section
at the end of the pre-consultation document;
presenting a written brief; by
e-mail.
What will happen after the consultation process?
When the Committee of Ministers and Members of the House of Assembly
completes the consultation process, a What We Heard document will be prepared, summarizing the views expressed at
public meetings and in written submissions. The Committee will then present the results of
its review to Government for direction.
Your Views
If you would like to provide written comments, please submit a written
brief or complete this section. Written submissions or these pages may be handed in at the
public meeting in your area or sent to:
Honourable Beaton Tulk
Chair - Committee on the Use of Outdoor Resources
2nd Floor, Confederation Building, West Block
P.O. Box 8700, St. John's, NF
A1B 4J6
Points to Consider
You may wish to consider the following questions when preparing to comment
on the use of our outdoor resources:
What principles should guide the management of our outdoor resources
(for example: conservation, access, economic development)?
Who are the users of our outdoor resources? How can Government balance
the competing needs of various users?
How can Government balance conservation with recreational and economic
development uses of our outdoor resources?
What are your specific concerns about outdoor resources? Are there
certain decisions or policies on which you would like to comment?
What role can/should community groups play in the management of our
outdoor resources?
How much should users of outdoor resources be expected to contribute to
the funding of resource conservation and management?
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