Minister Releases Report on Review, Allocation Process for Crown Timber Requests

  • Fisheries and Land Resources

March 29, 2018

An investigation carried out by the Department of Fisheries and Land Resources Compliance Division concludes staff carried out due diligence in accordance with departmental policy in analyzing a proposal from Bulk Logistics Group Ltd. to develop a forestry initiative in central Newfoundland.

Departmental staff provided support and direction to the company to ensure responsible and sustainable management of forest resources, the report concludes. It recommends the department continue to ensure formal business plans are submitted by proponents and that these plans are evaluated by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation’s Major Projects Initiative Unit.

The Report on the Review and Allocation Process for Crown Timber Requests is located at: www.faa.gov.nl.ca/publications/forestry.html

The Department of Fisheries and Land Resources is responsible for ensuring the management, protection and utilization of the province’s forest resources. The report responds to an allegation that the Minister of Fisheries and Land Resources withdrew an offer for 60,000 cubic meters of wood to Bulk Logistics Group Ltd. without due consideration. The complainant indicated the process of reviewing and allocating fibre access was not policy-based.

Quote
“Complaints of this nature are taken very seriously and I welcome the findings of this report. The investigation was ordered and the complainant informed that it was underway immediately after I was made aware of the allegation. As always, we continue to work with local industry to identify innovative ways to utilize the forest resource.”
Honourable Gerry Byrne
Minister of Fisheries and Land Resources

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Learn More
Timber Sale Agreements: www.faa.gov.nl.ca/forestry/permits/license/TSA.html

Commercial Cutting Permits: www.faa.gov.nl.ca/forestry/permits/license.html

Cutting Permit Allocation Policy: www.faa.gov.nl.ca/forestry/permits/license.html

Fisheries and Land Resources – www.flr.gov.nl.ca

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Media contact
Connie Boland
Fisheries and Land Resources
709-637-2923, 640-6409
connieboland@gov.nl.ca

2018 03 29 2:30 pm