The Canada-Newfoundland Agreement for the Economic Development Component of the Canadian Fisheries and Adjustment and Restructuring Initiative (EDC) is investing $563,315 in a pilot project to be undertaken by the Newfoundland and Labrador Lumber Producers Association (NLLPA). The NLLPA will investigate the economic and technical feasibility of helilogging (the use of helicopters to retrieve wood from where it is felled) to harvest currently inaccessible timber throughout the province.

The pilot project will include leasing a helicopter, hiring crew to fly and maintain the aircraft, and hiring and training 16 forest harvesters. The helilogging activity will take place on crown land in provincial forestry districts 9 and 16, the east and west shores of White Bay. The project is expected to take approximately three to four months; the end result will be a comprehensive report detailing technical, environmental and economic results. This information will be made available to industry for consideration for future investments in harvesting operations using this technology.

The helilogging pilot project will use technology, harvesting and retrieval methods developed in British Columbia. The project is expected to provide the following benefits:

• increase the provincial annual allowable cut by opening up new areas not currently being accessed;
• create short-term employment for 16 wood cutters over a three to four month period;
• reduce the requirements for forest access roads;
• allow the forestry sector to take advantage of prime logging opportunities in the province, and/or enhance the sustainability of existing logging operations;
• establish the feasibility of helilogging in the province; and
• provide commercial opportunities and employment in the aviation and support industries.

The NLLPA is a not-for-profit organization representing commercial sawmill operators and timber harvesters throughout the province. The primary objective of the association is to facilitate the development, growth and competitiveness of the sawmill industry.

The provincial 20-year Forestry Development Plan indicates a significant timber shortage in this province. The proposed helilogging project can potentially provide the information necessary to help address the shortage so that future domestic and commercial demands can be met without undue strain on the forest systems. The provincial allowable cut does not include, in its calculation, timber in potential helilogging areas.