Province, Innu Nation cooperate on forestry management

Forest Resources and Agrifoods Minister Kevin Aylward and Innu Nation President Peter Penashue signed a process agreement on forestry management and development in Labrador at a news conference in St. John�s today. The agreement provides for the full participation of the Innu Nation in management planning, designing practices and prescriptions for ongoing operations, and exploring models for co-management of the resources. Ernie McLean, Minister Responsible for Labrador, also participated in today�s signing ceremony.

The province is negotiating a comprehensive land claims agreement with the Innu Nation. As a matter of policy and law, the province has an obligation to consult with the Innu on decisions which may impact upon land and resources that are the subject of the claim.

Minister Aylward said the full-scale development of the forest resource in Labrador offers tremendous potential. "The development of the forest industry in Labrador will certainly bring welcome benefits to both the Innu Nation and local communities."

Innu Nation President Peter Penashue said forestry-based developments can provide economic opportunity as well as other benefits for the Innu. "We believe that we have a responsibility for good stewardship of the land. This agreement will help to develop Innu capacity not only within the forest industry, but in the management of lands and resources. This is an important part of realizing our aspirations for self-government."

Penashue noted that the Forest Process Agreement marks a significant step towards achieving co-management over forest resources in Labrador. "Innu have never participated in the benefits a sustainable forest industry can provide," stated Penashue. "This agreement will ensure that Innu goals and values will help define the way that the forest industry develops in Labrador. We believe that there is an opportunity to develop a truly sustainable forest industry, one that is compatible with Innu values and our traditional ways of life. We must also ensure that the benefits of what we do today are shared by future generations. If we are successful in realizing the goals of this agreement, we will become a model of effective co-management for the rest of the country."

Minister Aylward stressed that any forestry development must recognize the unique relationship which the Innu people have with the land. "Government is aware of the strong bond the Innu people have with the land. Accordingly, any development of forest resources must use an ecosystem-based approach which recognizes all of the values within the forest ecosystem. We do not want to infringe upon traditional values and practices."

Activities to be undertaken during the term of the agreement include: completion of a forest management plan for Forest Management District 19 (Goose Bay area); establishment of an Interim Forest Activity Committee to guide forestry operations pending completion of the plan; and, negotiation of a long-term co-management agreement to define future forest management arrangements between government and the Innu Nation. This agreement will help in developing partnerships between the Innu Nation and the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador on managing the renewable resources of Labrador.

The agreement will see the province committing in excess of $520,000 over the next 12 months towards the conclusion of the forest management plan, advancing the development of the Labrador forest industry.

Public meetings will be held in the near future as part of the forest management planning development process. This will provide all stakeholders with an opportunity to have input into the plan before it is finalized.

Media contact: Cynthia Layden-Barron, (709) 729-6183 or (709) 729-2076

• The objective of the agreement is to advance ecosystem-based management and sustainable development of the Labrador forest resources.
• This agreement is a positive step in terms of Innu/Government relations and partnerships.

• The province is negotiating a comprehensive land claims agreement with the Innu Nation. As a matter of policy and law, the province has an obligation to consult with the Innu on decisions which may impact upon land and resources that are the subject of the claim.

•  Currently, only about 50,000 cubic meters is being utilized by a few local operators. A management plan will result in revised annual allowable cut (AAC) for Forest Management District 19 (Goose Bay area), which may lead to an expansion in current operations.

• Full-scale development of Labrador�s forest resource has the potential to:

• increase lumber and value-added forestry production in Labrador; and,

• expand scale of operations to allow opportunities for utilization of wood chips.

• Seventy-five per cent of the core timber supply is on the south side of the Churchill River. Bridge and road infrastructure together with fire suppression capacity, enforcement capability, etc. will be examined in the context of the management plan.

Forest Resource Development Considerations

• Forestry development must recognize the unique relationship the Innu people have with the land.

• Forest resources must be developed in a manner which maximizes the economic and social benefits for all Labradorians.

• Forest resources must be developed using an ecosystem-based approach that recognizes all of the values within the forest ecosystem.

• Island sawmills and paper mills may benefit from development of the Labrador forest resource through access to chips and other by-products from Labrador based value added production facilities.

• Resource development will require both public and private capital investment and must therefore be based on a sound business case.

• The Forest Process Agreement is modeled after an agreement between Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro and the Innu Nation for discussions of the proposed Lower Churchill Development.

•  It is a 12-month agreement which outlines the process for:

• completion of a forest management plan;

• establishment of interim measures to guide forestry operations (pending completion of the plan); and,

• negotiation of long-term co-management agreement.

•  Co-management work will commence when reasonable progress is made on the forest management plan and interim operating measures.

•  Progress on the management plan and the development of interim measures will be evaluated by the Innu Nation and the Department of Forest Resources and Agrifoods before discussions on co-management proceed.

•  Government�s $520,000 investment will allow the Innu Nation to engage the required expertise to become actively involved in these activities. It will also provide the Innu Nation with resources to undertake necessary communications and consultations within their communities.

•  Activities governed by this agreement will proceed in parallel to the Innu land claims negotiation process. This agreement does not prejudice the positions Government or the Innu Nation may take during land claims negotiations.

2001 01 31                                                                      3:15 p.m.