Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development
January 22, 2016

Protecting Our Forest Resources

Conservation Officers See Increase in Charges in 2015

In an ongoing effort to ensure protection of the public and forest resources, conservation officers with the Forestry Services Branch of the Forestry and Agrifoods Agency laid more than 1,100 charges in 2015, representing an increase of over 45 per cent compared to 2014 when 600 charges were laid. Charges mainly related to illegal wood cutting, breach of forest fire regulations, illegal sawmilling, operating snowmobiles without trail passes and operating all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) without wearing an approved helmet. Charges were laid under The Forestry Act and Regulations and Motorized Snow Vehicles and All-Terrain Vehicles Act and Regulations.

�Conservation officers play a vital role throughout the province in protecting our important forest resources. In 2015 Forestry Services Branch set mandatory monitoring targets to demonstrate that our forest management activities comply with all federal, provincial and municipal regulations. As a result, there was increased officer presence and increased charges in 2015.�
- The Honourable Christopher Mitchelmore, Minister Responsible for the Forestry and Agrifoods Agency

Enforcement efforts keep Newfoundland and Labrador�s forests safe and accessible for all users and are important to the long-term sustainability of the forest resource.

�An increase in ATV and snowmobile accidents last year led to increased monitoring related to safety. Conservation officers worked closely with the RCMP and the Newfoundland and Labrador Snowmobile Federation and took a lead role to ensure the trails are safe for the public to enjoy.�
- Minister Mitchelmore

Conservation officers are also responsible for responding to human-wildlife interaction complaints. Officers responded to 1,934 calls for assistance in 2015. In 2014, officers responded to 2,198 calls related to moose-vehicle accidents, reports of wildlife roaming in communities, and injured wildlife.

Officers also enforce the Animal Health and Protection Act, Endangered Species Act, the Wilderness and Ecological Reserves Act and all associated regulations. Information on enforcement responsibilities can be found at www.faa.gov.nl.ca/department/branches/leg_compliance.html

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Media contact:

Tansy Mundon Director of Communications Department of Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development 709-729-4570, 693-1865 tansymundon@gov.nl.ca

2016 01 22                              11:45 a.m.