NLIS 9
July 7, 2000
(Forest Resources and Agrifoods)

Minister announces public consultations for Forest Management District 16

Kevin Aylward, Minister of Forest Resources and Agrifoods, announced today that The Department of Forest Resources and Agrifoods will begin public consultations next week as part of process for developing a Five-Year (2002 to 2007) Forest Management Plan for Forest Management District 16. The plan must be completed by September 2001 for implementation in January 2002. As part of the planning process the first public consultation meetings have been scheduled for July 12 and 13. The sole purpose of these initial meetings will be to establish a planning team of forest stakeholders who have an interest in future forest activity in District 16. Forest Management District 16 encompasses parts of the Northern Peninsula and White Bay, including Main River.

"More so than ever before public consultations are an integral component in the development of effective forest ecosystem management plans in Newfoundland and Labrador," said Aylward. "These upcoming consultations will provide the general public and stakeholders with an opportunity to participate in the planning process. A variety of people representing environmental groups, logger�s organizations and tourism operators and others will have an opportunity to provide comment and state any concerns regarding forest management issues in District 16."

Minister Aylward also noted that the public consultation process provides the Newfoundland Forest Service with an opportunity to educate the public about the wide range of values that are considered as part of the forest ecosystem planning process. Aylward said: "During the public consultation process, forestry officials will provide information to the public about such issues as the calculation of the Annual Allowable Cut (AAC), plans for the establishment of ecological reserves and the regulatory process that governs timber harvesting. It is very important that the general public and stakeholders be provided with this information as it gives them a greater understanding of the forest ecosystem planning process. I encourage everyone with an interest in forest activity in District 16 to partake in this process."

Public meetings to establish a planning team are scheduled for July 12 at the White Bay South Rural Development Association Building in Pollard�s Point and on July 13 at the Immaculate Conception Parish Hall in Deer Lake. Both meetings will start at 7:00 p.m.

Anyone with seeking further information should contact District Forest Ecosystem Manager, Bruce Nicholl, at 686-2071.

Media contact: Craig Renouf, (709) 637-2923, fax (709) 637-2403.

2000 07 07                 3:55 p.m.