Main River watershed receives conditional release by minister

Kevin Aylward, Minister of Environment, has conditionally released the Five Year Operating Plan, District 16 - Main River watershed from further assessment under the Environmental Protection Act. Speaking at a news conference in Corner Brook today, the minister announced this decision, and the conditions associated with it.

"As Minister of Environment I am confident that the five year operating plan and the Environmental Preview Report as presented by Corner Brook Pulp and Paper (CBPP), together with the conditions imposed by government, will mitigate impacts on environmental components contained in the Main River watershed," stated Minister Aylward.

Corner Brook Pulp and Paper has made significant commitments in an effort to retain the structure and habitat quality within the watershed area. Some of these commitments are: there will be no clear cutting in the Main River watershed; harvest blocks will be selected in consultation with the Gros Morne Connectivity Working Group; and over the life of the plan, the volume of wood to be harvested represents only 2.5 per cent of the total amount of merchantable timber in the watershed.

As a condition of the release, government is requiring CBPP to implement an Environmental Effects Monitoring (EEM) Program over the course of the five year plan. This program will monitor and report on any environmental effects due to harvesting and associated activities. The EEM Program must address, but not be limited to, environmental effects on pine marten, forest birds, ecosystem connectivity to Gros Morne National Park and the structures of the old growth boreal ecosystem. The EEM Program must be designed and implemented for each year of the five year operating plan, starting in 2002. CBPP is required to submit on an annual basis a report on the outcome of the EEM Program. This report is to be submitted to the ministers of Environment and Forest Resources and Agrifoods, provided to the Committee of Stakeholders to the Stewardship Agreement for the Main River Canadian Heritage Designation, and be made available to the public.

"I have asked the company to develop and implement an EEM, due to strong public interest and views expressed by stakeholders during the environmental assessment process. It is important for government and the public to be aware of the impacts of harvesting in this area throughout the five year planning period. Also, I have asked that the annual report on the program be made public when it is received by government."

In closing Minister Aylward said: "Corner Brook Pulp and Paper has made significant commitments to ensure that the environmental integrity of the Main River watershed will be maintained and the natural, recreational and cultural values of the Main River will be protected. The Department of Environment and the government will hold the company to its commitments."

Media contact: Cynthia Layden-Barron, Communications, (709) 729 2575.

Main River Watershed Environmental Preview Report
- Five Year Operating Plan (2002 - 2006)
Conditions of Release

Commitments by Corner Brook Pulp and Paper in Environmental Preview Report

• No clearcutting in the watershed; rather, a selection harvesting technique will be implemented.
• For 2003-2006 selection harvest blocks will be selected in consultation with the Gros Morne Connectivity Working Group.
• No harvesting along the main stem of the river which contributed to the designation of the Main River as a Canadian Heritage River.
• The volume of wood to be harvested is limited to an average of 25,000 cu meters/year.
• Over the life of the plan, the volume of wood to be harvested represents only 2.5 per cent of the total amount of merchantable timber in the watershed.
• CBPP has engaged an independent Science Advisory Group in conjunction with the Sierra Club of Canada to provide guidance in terms of logging in the watershed in accordance with agreed Terms of Reference.
• CBPP will participate in a Working Group on the Gros Morne National Park Connectivity formed to identify and monitor any effects that may occur on connectivity with the park.
• CBPP has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with the Newfoundland and Labrador Outfitters Association which outlines a procedure to address land use conflicts issues while acknowledging and respecting the rights of both parties.
• CBPP, in cooperation with the Provincial Wildlife Division has engaged in a model to assist in predicting the effect of the proposed harvesting on pine marten habitat.

Environmental Effects Monitoring
The Department of Environment also requires CBPP to develop and implement an Environmental Effects Monitoring Program with the following objectives:

• Verifying the accuracy of the environmental effects of forest harvesting in the Main River Watershed
• Determining the effectiveness of any measures taken to mitigate any adverse environmental effects, and
• Implementing measures to mitigate any adverse environmental effects identified in (a) and (b)

The EEM must address, but not be limited to environmental effects on pine marten, forest birds, ecosystem connectivity to Gros Morne National Park and the structures of the old growth boreal ecosystem. The EEM must be designed and implemented for each year of the five year operating plan starting in 2002. CBPP is required to submit on an annual basis a report on the outcome of the EEM program. This report is be submitted to the mnisters of Environment and Forest Resources and Agrifoods and provided to the Committee of Stake-holders to the Stewardship Agreement for the Main River Canadian Heritage Designation and be made available to the public.

2002 08 09                                10:35a.m.