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Protecting the Legacy: Report of the Committee on the Use of Outdoor
Resources
Volume 2: Committee Recommendations
Table of Contents
1.0
PROTECTING THE LEGACY
2.0
PRINCIPLES
3.0
OUTDOOR USE
AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
4.0 THE MANAGEMENT OF
OUTDOOR USE
4.1 Education and Consultation
4.2 Watershed Management
4.3 Planning
4.4 Enforcement and Monitoring
5.0 OUTDOOR USE ISSUES
5.1 Regulations Licenses and Quotas
5.2 Winter and Sunday Hunting
5.3 Sports fishing and Hunting Lodges
5.4 Parks and Reserves
5.5 All-Terrain Vehicles
5.6 Other Issues
6.0
CONCLUSION
Appendices:
A1
Summary of
Recommendations
1.0
PROTECTING THE LEGACY
The range and quality of input received from individuals and groups across the province
during the public consultation on the Use of Outdoor Resources has impressed the
Committee. The briefs, transcripts and other materials generated by the consultation
process provide a comprehensive and powerful picture of issues and concerns related to the
use of the outdoors. It has made, and will continue to make, a valuable contribution to
the management of our resources. The Committee would like to thank all those who
participated in this process for their time and efforts.
The Committee has reviewed the many submissions made during the consultation, both
formal and informal. All materials generated by the consultation have been the subject of
a comprehensive and thorough internal review, and the Committee has discussed at length
the complex issues involved. This review has led the Committee to reach a number of
positions, and make a number of decisions, which are summarized below. These positions and
decisions address many of the issues raised with respect to the use of outdoor resources,
responding to concerns expressed in briefs and presentations to the Committee.
However, not all of the issues and concerns can be addressed at this time. Many of the
issues raised are complex and overlapping. Some are highly contentious and require further
review and deliberation. In some cases, there may also be a need for further consultation,
scientific research or inter-governmental negotiation. All the input received through the
consultation process will continue to be taken into consideration during such
deliberations, and will make a further important contribution to decisions respecting the
management of the Province’s outdoor resources.
2.0
PRINCIPLES
Newfoundlanders and Labradorians have a special relationship with the outdoors. Our
heritage has been built on the sea and the land. Wild natural resources, such as fish,
game, birds and berries, are not only part of our diet and lifestyle, but they also
underpin our culture and who we are as a people. And even though these resources have
become less important to our day to day survival, they still have real economic
significance to many citizens and are our most important form of recreation.
Newfoundlanders and Labradorians fish more, hunt more, spend more time snowmobiling and
off-roading, and use the outdoors for berry picking and for firewood more than most other
Canadians. The outdoor resources of the Province are an essential part of our lifestyle
and have influenced historical attachments and settlement patterns. The thousands of
lakes, hundreds of rivers, annual migrations of birds, herds of caribou, small game, large
tracts of forested land, thousands of hectares of berry-laden barrens and rich seacoasts
have led to a reliance upon these resources which in many ways continues today.
An important aspect of the use of these natural resources has been our easy access to
them. This means more than simple proximity. It also means that the resources are common
property, rather than owned by individual citizens. Resources were and are generally
available to be harvested. While conservation requires that resources be managed and their
use regulated, the common property nature of most of them has been preserved.
Citizens are able to move freely throughout most of this large Province without being
subject to the restrictions that are found in other parts of Canada, where large tracts of
land are in private ownership. Privately-owned land represents only 4.4 per cent of the
total area of Newfoundland and Labrador, compared with 92 and 71 per cent in P.E.I. and
Nova Scotia, respectively. Furthermore, some private land ownership in other provinces
includes the right to own lakes, ponds and rivers. With two notable exceptions that
occurred in the 1800’s, Virginia Waters and part of a river in Conception Bay, this
is not the case in Newfoundland and Labrador.
People in this Province have open access to Crown lands. As noted, most of this
Province is not under private sector ownership. This gives a level of access that is
unique in North America and unprecedented in large parts of the developed world.
In Newfoundland and Labrador, this and past Governments, have been deliberate in their
efforts to avoid transferring the ownership of waterbodies to private sector interests. As
a result, access to the Province’s natural resources remain free and open. People can
travel, hunt, fish and generally move throughout the countryside without having to be
concerned with encountering privately owned waterbodies or their access to Crown lands
being unnecessarily restricted. With the two exceptions noted earlier, all waterbodies in
this Province have a reservation around them for public access.
This freedom of access also extends to the harvesting of big and small game. For
example, big game licenses are shared amongst the Province’s hunters so that all
those wishing to hunt get an opportunity to do so. While proper resource management
dictates that every hunter may not get a license every year, those wanting to hunt are
able to do so on a regular basis. As well, Government has agreed to change the regulations
to allow persons with disabilities access to wild game. This change, which will be in
effect for the 1999 season, has been cited as one of the most progressive pieces of
hunting regulation in Canada.
Government has also been committed to preserving resident access to big game over
non-residents. Access to the resource in accessible areas are highest for residents.
Flying to remote camps to hunt for big game is a luxury that most Newfoundlanders and
Labradorians can’t afford. Recognizing this, the percentage of licenses for
non-residents is lowest in areas frequented and preferred by local residents. This
Government’s policy is designed to preserve resident access to the resource while at
the same time allowing some residents to garner a livelihood from outfitting.
The Committee feels that the proposals contained in this report, combined with the
rights that citizens currently enjoy, provide for the continuation of a level of freedom
and resource access that is unsurpassed in Canada. To strengthen and reassure residents of
Government’s resolve to continue to provide this level of access, the Committee
proposes that Government restate and expand on the basic commitments that were presented
in the Committee’s consultation document:
Government Commitments Concerning the Use and Enjoyment of the Outdoors
• Our outdoor resources exist for the use and enjoyment of
all citizens of Newfoundland and Labrador.
• It is not and never will be this Government’s
policy to privatize the outdoors.
• Access to our natural resources must be maintained, but
not at the expense of conservation and sustainability. These principles are fundamental
and not open to debate.
• It is possible to develop our tourism and economic
potential through the use of our outdoor resources, but such development will not
compromise access and use by Newfoundlanders and Labradorians.
• Government is committed to negotiating equitable land
claims agreements with our Aboriginal peoples, settlement of which may affect the
management of our outdoor resources in specific areas of the Province.
• The management of the Province’s outdoors must be a
fair and open process.
Conservation is clearly an overriding public concern respecting natural resource use
and access. In that regard, Government announced on March 22, 1999 it would provide $1
million in seed funding to establish a conservation foundation for the Province. The
Newfoundland and Labrador Legacy Nature Trust will assist the conservation efforts of
environment and community groups in the Province by providing funding from sources these
groups are not currently able to access.
Conservation must continue to be the main consideration in the management of all our
outdoor resources. In the absence of effective management structures, wildlife populations
and other resources cannot be sustained. Consequently, unimpeded access to these resources
is not an acceptable option. Government has a stewardship and management responsibility
for the Province’s resources and the protection and conservation of wildlife
resources must be a core element of its mandate. The Committee further maintains that
Government must continue to protect the legacy of its natural resources for this and
future generations.
3.0
OUTDOOR USE AND
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Many participants in the consultation spoke or wrote of the importance of establishing
a balance between conservation, recreation and economic development (Volume 1: Section
3.0). This included discussion of the economic value of the outdoors and the best ways of
balancing recreation and economic development. The Committee believes that it is both
important and possible to achieve a balance of economic and social benefits from
provincial resources. The Committee supports such a balance.
The economic value of the recreational use of the outdoors is considerable. For
example, in 1996, approximately 373,000 residents of the Province used the outdoors for
some form of recreation or activity such as swimming, sightseeing, camping, hiking,
hunting, fishing and berry picking. While this activity was not restricted solely to this
Province, the total value of the expenditures associated with these outdoor activities is
substantial at almost $200 million.
At the same time, non-resident salmon fishing contributes about $8 million directly to
the local economy, while big game camps contribute $28 million. Associated employment is
estimated at about 1,600. The pulp and paper sector employs over 2,000 people and
generates over $600 million in sales. The saw milling sector directly employs a similar
number of people and produces over 90 million fbm of lumber with a value over $35 million.
These uses of natural resources provides direct employment and significant support to the
economy, especially in rural Newfoundland and Labrador.
There can and must be a balance of economic and social benefits. The economic realities
of life across our Province means that resources must be utilized to the maximum
sustainable level possible. From the Committee’s perspective, sustainable development
means creating employment while at the same time ensuring the ongoing health of the
resource and access to it by residents. The Committee believes that Newfoundland and
Labrador’s outdoor resources provide opportunities for further development without
compromising access for residents.
In one contentious area, the Committee noted that Government has already recognized and
responded to the impact that small hydro developments can have on the environment.
Environmentally sensitive hydro projects proposed for the Northwest and Southwest Rivers
have been withdrawn by the proponents at the request of Government. Government is
currently reviewing its energy policy including a study of its approach to small hydro
developments.
4.0
THE MANAGEMENT OF OUTDOOR
USE
Management was another important theme in the Use of Outdoor Resources consultations
(Volume 1: Section 4.0). This included discussion of such issues as education,
consultation, planning, enforcement, monitoring and funding, and included considerable
discussion of the role of Government and others in watershed management. These issues, and
the Committee’s responses to them, are discussed below.
4.1 Education and Consultation
It was clear from the consultations that there is a need for an awareness campaign to
ensure that Newfoundlanders and Labradorians know about their outdoor rights and the
regulations currently in place in this Province which protect them. Government must also
ensure that people of the Province understand their outdoor resources, the importance of
these resources, and why it is important to manage and utilize them effectively.
Accordingly, the Committee recommends that:
• An outdoor rights section be included in the annual
Hunting Guide providing an overview of what people are entitled to do in the
Province’s outdoors.
• Government’s web site be expanded to contain
current information on hunting, hunting regulations, related environmental issues and the
use of the outdoors.
• Government undertake a review of existing public
awareness programs and implement measures that will increase the general public’s
awareness. This is expected to include increased efforts in the Province’s schools.
Ongoing consultation can make a critical contribution to effective management of the
Province’s outdoor resources. This conclusion has led the Committee to recommend that
Government adopt the principle that regulation of the Province’s outdoors must be a
fair and open process (Section 2). Government has listened to the issues raised in the
consultations and recognizes the importance of having a forum for public discussion and
input into Government decision making process on outdoor resource issues. In accordance
with this view the Committee recommends that:
• Government establish a permanent Outdoor Resources
Ministerial Council which should consist of the Ministers of: Development and Rural
Renewal (Chairperson); Forest Resources and Agrifoods; Tourism Culture and Recreation;
Government Services and Lands; and, Environment and Labour. The Council would travel the
Province soliciting input from the general public and interested groups. As well, the
Ministerial Council, at the direction of the Lieutenant-Governor in Council, should be
mandated to establish working groups to study issues that are of specific interest to the
Council and the general public.
• Government ensure greater involvement of resource users
in management through such initiatives as a more consultative watershed management process
(see below) and changes to advisory groups to make them a more representative and
responsive. In particular, the Department of Forest Resources and Agrifoods should assess
the structure of the Inland Fish and Wildlife Advisory Council, including options for
appointing members, and report back to Cabinet with its recommendations.
• Government engage in public consultation with respect to
such issues as the development of a Natural Areas System Plan, which would serve to
establish protected areas throughout the Province.
• Government conduct further consultation regarding the
possible introduction of a conservation stamp. Any funds raised under such a program
should go strictly to conservation projects and be at arms-length from Government. This
concept received widespread support throughout the consultations and should be further
investigated.
The consultative process for forest planning is already in place. The total allowable
cut and harvest and silviculture practices are reviewed every five years. This plan is up
for renewal within the next year. As part of the process, public consultations will be
held throughout the Province.
4.2 Watershed Management
There was much discussion, during the Use of Outdoor Resources consultation process, of
the merits and shortcomings of community watershed management (see, for example, Volume 1:
Sections 2.4 and 4.2). This prompted the Committee to undertake a comprehensive review of
Government’s approaches and policies in this area.
The Committee has concluded that community watershed management continues to have great
merit, primarily because it allows groups and individuals to actively participate in the
management of a resource they value and have a vested interest in protecting. However,
given the concerns of various interest groups and recognizing the importance of
maintaining healthy watersheds, the Committee feels that Government should adopt the
following positions:
• Government should be committed to sustainable management
of inland fisheries resources on the basis of adequate science and appropriate ecological
principles. It recognizes that watershed management initiatives must respect these and
balance resident recreational opportunities with economic opportunities.
• Consistent with the principles outlined in Section 2,
Government should ensure that water bodies are not privatized and that all residents of
the Province have equal access to them.
• Government should retain decision-making authority,
including, in respect of licences and fees, in the area of watershed management. In order
to ensure that the interests of all residents of the Province are protected, Government
should not delegate its decision making power to stakeholder groups and communities.
• Government should recognize that different river systems
are best managed according to their particular requirements.
• Only one provincial license should be required for
salmon angling and there should be no river specific licence fees.
• Government should seek public input on proposed
watershed management plans and programs. No organization wishing to participate in the
management process will be denied the opportunity to do so provided it is willing to act
in accordance with the ground rules established for the conduct of affairs. Each
management group should be required to develop and adopt a consultation plan to ensure
that all interested groups have the opportunity to provide input.
• No new Community Watershed Groups should be created with
concurrence of the Province until the federal government concludes a Memorandum of
Understanding with the provincial government clarifying the respective government roles.
Items expected to be covered in a MOU should include science, funding, enforcement,
responsibilities and other related items.
4.3 Planning
The Committee recognizes that the planning process provides an important tool in
managing our outdoor resources. In responding to concerns raised through this
consultation, Government should examine a suitable framework for the development of
resource/land use plans with the objective of streamlining its decision-making process and
reducing conflicts on land use issues. Planning is needed to find help find a balance
between forest development, industrial activity, recreation, hunting, fishing, and other
outdoor resource uses.
Integrated Resource Planning is a process which encourages consultation between
resource management agencies and private sector interests to plan for the future use of
natural resources. Specifically:
• Integrated resource/land use planning requires that all
levels of government cooperate in their planning initiatives. Government should place a
priority on developing such plans for areas of high user conflict.
4.4 Enforcement and Monitoring
The need for adequate enforcement was raised throughout the consultations (see,
especially, Section 4.6). The Committee recommends that:
• Government examine current enforcement measures and
increase the level of cooperation between the different levels of government.
• Government evaluate its enforcement practices with the
intent of increasing the effectiveness of enforcement efforts. This should include the
possibility of establishing an enforcement unit that would conduct random raids throughout
the Province.
The Committee recognizes that stakeholder groups and other volunteer organizations
provide a valuable service in managing our natural resources, and accepts that they may
wish to be involved in scientific assessment of stocks, enhancement projects and
monitoring operations.
The Committee believes that adequate scientific understanding of our fish stocks is
critical to their proper management and long-term sustainability. This requires
appropriate and thorough stock assessments and other scientific studies by the federal
government. However, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans’ salmon management
efforts are under-resourced and under-funded, while an active management plan for other
freshwater species is virtually non-existent.
The Department of Fisheries and Oceans has not conducted systematic research on trout
populations since the early 1980s, and little baseline information is available. And, as a
prerequisite to adequate science and resource management, it needs to develop a lake
classification system, conduct representative stock assessments of the various lake
classes and conduct creel/harvest surveys.
The federal government has ultimate responsibility for this resource. However, as was
the case with northern cod, residents of the Province will suffer the consequences of any
decline in stocks. Accordingly:
• The Committee recommends that Government continue to
request that the federal government deliver on their constitutional responsibility and
that it increase scientific research related to the management of the Province’s
trout and salmon stocks.
5.0
OUTDOOR USE ISSUES
The consultation raised a number of issues related to the effects and regulation of
outdoor related activity (Section 5.0). These included: regulations, licenses and quotas;
winter and Sunday hunting; sportfishing and hunting lodges; parks and reserves; and,
all-terrain vehicles. The Committee has reviewed these issues and presents the following
responses.
5.1 Regulations, Licenses and Quotas
In response to the wide range of issues raised respecting hunting policies and
regulations, the Committee feels that Government should reconsider them as part of its
normal ongoing operational review. This examination should consider, but not be limited
to, re-reinstating the big game shooting test, and possibly requiring non-Canadian
citizens to use a guide when hunting small game.
The Committee also recommends that Government undertake a special review of regulations
in two areas: the use of aircraft and the use of the .22 calibre rifle. Specifically:
• Government should strengthen regulations and enforcement
of laws that prohibit the use of aircraft for hunting purposes.
• It is recommended that the Department of Forest
Resources and Agrifoods be directed to submit a proposal to Cabinet recommending a course
of action regarding the current ban on the use of the .22 calibre rifle. This prohibition
was introduced in 1963 in response to concerns about safety and poaching. However, this
type of rifle is in use throughout North America and Labrador with no apparent effects on
safety or poaching.
There was concern raised in the consultation that Government was intending to issue a
trout license and that this would restrict access. In this regard, the Committee has been
advised that Government has no intention of introducing a trout license.
5.2 Winter and Sunday Hunting
Winter and Sunday hunting emerged through the consultations as a particular area of
concern (Section 5.3). In response to the input received by the Committee on the Use of
Outdoor Resources, the Committee recommends that:
• Government review its policy on Sunday hunting, with
consideration being given to the following options: (i) continuing the existing ban; (ii)
allowing Sunday hunting for part of the year; and, (iii) allowing it throughout the
hunting season. Government should conduct public consultations on this issue before it
reaches a decision.
The consultations also showed that many people believe that big game populations would
be over-exploited if an extended season was permitted. In response, Government moved
quickly to resolve that issue. Effective October 16, 1998, the season was returned to
durations similar to those adopted for the 1997-98 seasons. The Committee concurs with
Government’s actions and recommends that the extended hunting season not be
reinstated.
5.3 Sportfishing and Hunting Lodges
Many individuals and groups have concerns respecting sportfishing and hunting lodges
(Section 5.4). The buffer zones are exclusion zones for other camps and remote cottage
development, however, the Committee notes that hunting, fishing and other activity are
allowed within the zones. In response to the concerns raised in the Consultations,
Government should review its existing policy with the intention of developing a new and
transparent process for approving lodges, and report to Cabinet by the end of 1999.
It became clear in the consultations that people are concerned about access being
restricted around water bodies. Government has advised the Committee that is has always
been committed to providing access to the Province’s waterways by providing a 10
metre reservation around all ponds and waterways. Given the concerns raised the following
action is recommended:
• The buffer around waterways and ponds should be
increased to 15 metres for new cottage and other developments, and a public
access/right-of-way should be incorporated in any respective development plans.
5.4 Parks and Reserves
The Committee has reviewed the input received during the consultation with respect to
provincial parks and reserves (Section 5.5). In the case of provincial parks, the
following recommendations are made:
• Government should not lease anymore of its parks and
should maintain its core network of 14 provincial parks, seven natural scenic attractions
and the Newfoundland T’Railway. This network preserves key ecological sites and parks
representing the regions of the Province.
• Government should continue to retain ownership of land
in all parks, including those now under private sector management. In most cases the land
is leased from the Government for a five-year term, with an option for renewal.
• The Department of Tourism, Culture and Recreation should
review and report back to Cabinet on issues related to the T’Railway. These include
conflicting uses, the timing of trail development and trail safety.
Government’s vision for natural areas should entail the protection of large
wilderness areas, representative examples of the full range of provincial ecosystems
(including their natural features and processes) and rare natural phenomena. This would
preserve the diversity and distinctiveness of the Province’s rich natural heritage
and provide for an ecologically sustainable future for the benefit of present and future
generations. In pursuing this vision:
• The Department of Tourism, Culture and Recreation should
develop a new Natural Areas System Plan to establish a system of ecological reserves
throughout the Province. This Plan should be designed to preserve representation of all
the Province’s ecosystems and stimulate adventure and eco-tourism. It should also
increase investment in the Province, by providing resource industries with greater
certainty as to which land will to be available for use, and allow Government to better
focus on priorities. The Plan should be subject to public consultations and, as necessary,
further revisions.
• The Committee also shares the concerns expressed about
the damage and loss of the Province’s fossil resources. As such, the Committee
recommends that the Historic Resources Act be amended by this Fall to ensure that fossil
resources are not destroyed or looted.
5.5 All-Terrain Vehicles
The use of all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) to retrieve big game was extensively reviewed in
the 1995 consultations of the ATV Use Regulations Review Committee, chaired by Don Whelan,
MHA, which recommended permitting such use. Based on that review, and what the Committee
on the Use of Outdoor Resources heard, it recommends that:
• Government allow the use of ATVs to retrieve big game
and the appropriate regulations be drafted for the next hunting season. Restrictions on
the use should include: (i) that the ATV is not to be used in an unapproved area until the
animal is quartered and tagged; (ii) that a maximum of five trips be allowed to retrieve
the animal; and, (iii) that no firearms be allowed in the possession of individuals
transporting game. The Committee also recommends that the effects of the change in
regulations be monitored and that a review be conducted after two years. The preservation
of the environment will remain central to the new regulations.
In recognition of the damage to the environment that ATVs can cause, all other
regulations on their use will be maintained. Furthermore, in recognition of the damage
that they can do to beaches and sand dunes and other sensitive areas, the Committee
recommends that:
• Government should focus more attention on prohibiting
the use of ATV’s including dirt bikes and four-wheel-drive vehicles in sensitive
areas.
5.6 Other Issues
The Committee notes that Government is continuing to press for the settlement of land
claims. The recent Agreement in Principle with the Labrador Inuit Association illustrates
Government’s commitment to speedy resolution of land claims and negotiations for the
Innu Nation are continuing.
6.0
CONCLUSION
The public consultation on the use of outdoor resources has made an important
contribution to the management of the resources of this Province. The positions and
decisions noted above are the direct result of the input received from large numbers of
concerned Newfoundlanders and Labradorians. In particular, it is this input that has
prompted Government’s commitment to the continued involvement of resource users in
the management process, including further public consultation on outdoor use issues. The
Committee believes that public consultation is the best way of ensuring that the outdoor
resources of this province are available for the greatest benefit for this and future
generations. Government must be committed to protecting the legacy of outdoor resources
that are found in this Province.
Appendix A1
Summary of Committee Recommendations
Recommendations Requiring Immediate Action
RECOMMENDATION # 1
It is recommended that Government restate and expand the commitments regarding outdoor
rights that were originally presented in the Committee’s consultation document.
Government Commitments Concerning the Use and Enjoyment of the Outdoors
• Our outdoor resources exist for the use and enjoyment of
all citizens of Newfoundland and Labrador.
• It is not and never will be this Government’s
policy to privatize the outdoors.
• Access to our natural resources must be maintained, but
not at the expense of conservation and sustainability. These principles are fundamental
and not open to debate.
• It is possible to develop our tourism and economic
potential through the use of our outdoor resources, but such development will not
compromise access and use by Newfoundlanders and Labradorians.
• Government is committed to negotiating equitable land
claims agreements with our Aboriginal peoples, settlement of which may affect the
management of our outdoor resources in specific areas of the Province.
• The management of the Province’s outdoors must be a
fair and open process.
RECOMMENDATION # 2
The Committee recommends that Government establish a Ministerial Council on the Use of
Outdoor Resources that will hold public consultations. The Council would consist of the
Ministers of: Development and Rural Renewal (Chairperson); Forest Resources and Agrifoods;
Tourism Culture and Recreation; Government Services and Lands; and, Environment and
Labour. The Council, upon the approval of the Lieutenant-Governor In Council, would set up
working groups to study specific issues where it is deemed necessary.
RECOMMENDATION # 3
Given the demonstrated need for greater public awareness of outdoor resource issues, it
is recommended that the Departments of Forest Resources and Agrifoods and Tourism Culture
and Recreation be directed to prepare a public awareness campaign related to outdoor
activities that would include the following initiatives:
1. the development of a web site related to outdoor recreational and hunting issues;
2. inclusion of an outdoor rights section in the annual Hunting Guide; and,
3. a review of existing public awareness programs and implement measures that will
increase the general public's awareness.
RECOMMENDATION # 4
It is recommended that:
1. Government acknowledge it is committed to sustainable management of inland fisheries
resources on the basis of adequate science and appropriate ecological principles. It
recognizes that watershed management initiatives must respect these and balance resident
recreational opportunities with economic opportunities.
2. Government ensure that water bodies are not privatized and that all residents of the
Province have equal access to them.
3. Government retain decision-making authority, including in respect of licences and fees,
in the area of watershed management. In order to ensure that the interests of all
residents of the Province are protected, it not delegate its decision making power to
stakeholder groups and communities.
4. Government recognize that different river systems are best managed according to their
particular requirements.
5. Only one provincial license be required for salmon angling and there be no river
specific licence fees.
6. Government seek public input on proposed watershed management plans and programs. No
organization wishing to participate in the management process will be denied the
opportunity to do so, provided it is willing to act in accordance with the ground rules
established for the conduct of affairs. Each management group be required to develop and
adopt a consultation plan to ensure that all interested groups have the opportunity to
provide input.
7. No new Community Watershed Groups be authorized with concurrence of the Province until
the federal government concludes a Memorandum of Understanding with the provincial
government clarifying the respective government roles. Items expected to be covered in a
MOU include science, funding, enforcement and other related items.
RECOMMENDATION # 5
It is recommended that the Department of Forest Resources and Agrifoods assess the
structure of the Inland Fish and Wildlife Advisory Council, including options for
appointing members and reporting back to Cabinet with its recommendations.
RECOMMENDATION # 6
It is recommended that Government, through the Department of Forest Resources and
Agrifoods, examine current enforcement measures and increase the level of cooperation
between the different levels of government.
RECOMMENDATION # 7
It is recommended that Government evaluate its enforcement practices with the intent of
increasing the effectiveness of enforcement efforts and that Government establish a unit
of enforcement officers that would conduct random enforcement measures throughout the
Province.
RECOMMENDATION # 8
It is recommended to Government that it strengthen regulations and enforcement of laws
that prohibit the use of aircraft for hunting purposes.
RECOMMENDATION # 9
It is recommended that the Department of Forest Resources and Agrifoods be directed to
examine the current ban on the use of the .22 calibre rifle on the Island and submit a
proposal to Cabinet.
RECOMMENDATION # 10
It is recommended that Government not extend the winter hunt for big game.
RECOMMENDATION # 11
It is recommended that Government develop a more transparent and open policy on the
approval of outfitting lodges.
RECOMMENDATION # 12
It is recommended to Government that the buffer around waterways be increased from 10
to 15 metres for new cottages and that for new developments a public access to waterways
be built into the respective plan.
RECOMMENDATION # 13
It is recommended that Government proceed with the Natural Areas System Plan (NASP),
subject to appropriate consultation.
RECOMMENDATION # 14
It is recommended that that no additional parks be leased and that Government maintain
its core network of 14 provincial parks, seven natural scenic attractions and the
Newfoundland T'Railway.
RECOMMENDATION #15
To ensure that fossil resources in the Province are not destroyed or looted, it is
recommended that Government amend the Historic Resources Act by the Fall of 1999 to make
it illegal to remove fossils from sites found in the Province.
RECOMMENDATION # 16
It is recommended that Government allow ATV use for the retrieval of big game with the
appropriate regulations being drafted for the next big game hunting season. Restrictions
should include: (i) that the ATV is not to be used in an unapproved area until the animal
is quartered and tagged; (ii) that a maximum of five trips be allowed to retrieve the
animal; and (iii) that no firearms be allowed in the possession of individuals
transporting game. The Committee also recommends that the effects of the change in
regulations be monitored and that a review be conducted after two years.
RECOMMENDATION # 17
It is recommended that Government focus more attention on prohibiting the use of ATVs
including dirt bikes and four-wheel-drive vehicles in sensitive areas such as beaches and
sand dunes.
Recommendations Requiring Further Review
RECOMMENDATION # 18
Given the Constitutional responsibility of the federal government to manage salmon
stocks, it is recommended that Government continue to aggressively pursue with the Federal
Government improved science and assessments of the Province's salmon rivers.
RECOMMENDATION # 19
Given the Constitutional responsibility of the federal government to manage trout
stocks, it is recommended that Government aggressively pursue with the federal government
the development of an adequate plan for science and assessments of the Province's trout
stocks.
RECOMMENDATION # 20
The Committee recommends that the Department of Government Services and Lands review
its land use policy with the intention of placing a priority of developing land use plans
for areas of high user conflict.
RECOMMENDATION # 21
It is recommended that Government review its overall hunting policy and regulations,
including, but not limited to the following issues:
1. re-reinstating the big game shooting test; and,
2. possibly requiring non-Canadian citizens to use a guide when hunting small game.
RECOMMENDATION # 22
It is recommended that Government review the policy on Sunday Hunting and consider
whether: (i) to continue the existing ban; (ii) to allow Sunday Hunting for part of the
Year; or, (iii) to allow Sunday Hunting throughout the entire season. Public consultations
should be held before a final decision is made on this issue.
RECOMMENDATION # 23
It is recommended that Government direct the Department of Tourism, Culture and
Recreation to evaluate and report to Cabinet on issues related to the T'Railway. These
include conflicting uses, the timing of trail development and trail safety.
RECOMMENDATION #24
It is recommended that Government conduct further consultation regarding
the possible introduction of a Conservation Stamp. Any funds raised under such a program
would go strictly to conservation projects and be administered at arms-length from
Government.
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