February 18, 1998
(Forest Resources and Agrifoods)

Minister announces release of 20 Year Forest Development Plan

Kevin Aylward, Minister of Forest Resources and Agrifoods, has released the final 1996-2015, 20 Year Forestry Plan after consultations with the public.

"This 20 year plan outlines a new ecosystem management approach to forest management. The approach is being put into practice as the department undertakes to deliver forest ecosystem plans and five year operating plans for each forest management district," Mr. Aylward said.

These plans detail the forest resource and identify proposals for harvesting, silviculture treatments, the location of forest access roads and wildlife adaptations. The department has established a number of ecosystem planning teams to facilitate the development and implementation of these plans. To date, 12 ecosystem planning teams have worked or are working on district plans.

The plan confirms that the wood supply situation remains essentially unchanged. The total wood supply for insular Newfoundland in 1998 is 2.05 million cubic metres, while the wood supply for Labradoris 580,000 cubic metres.

Copies of the new plan will be available at the regional offices of the Forest Management Districts also through the public library in Corner Brook and the Queen's Printer in St. John's.

Contact: David Wells, Communications,(709) 729-6183.