Recent amendments to provincial forestry regulations making it easier for residents of Newfoundland and Labrador to access timber for personal consumption are now in effect.

Domestic wood cutting continues to be a popular traditional activity in Newfoundland and Labrador.  In 2018, the Department of Fisheries and Land Resources issued 25,000 domestic cutting permits that accounted for the harvesting of approximately 500,000 cubic meters or 138,000 cords of wood for personal use.

The Forestry Act has been amended to allow the holder of a domestic cutting permit to list up to ten individuals as assistants to help in the cutting of timber for personal consumption.  In addition, Cutting of Timber regulations have been amended to allow a domestic cutting permit holder to gift wood to another individual.

Previously, the holder of a domestic cutting permit could only list one assistant to cut wood on their behalf and the gifting of wood was not permitted.

The new regulations will provide more options for individuals with health or mobility issues to obtain wood, particularly older or infirm residents who generally use firewood as a primary source of home heating.

Information about new domestic cutting regulations is available at Forestry and Wildlife District Offices located throughout the province and on the Department and Fisheries and Land Resources website at www.faa.gov.nl.ca/.

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“New and improved domestic cutting regulations now in effect are progressive and reflective of a modern society where creating better access to our public resources is paramount.  I am confident allowing for multiple assistants to be listed on a domestic wood cutting permit and having the option to gift wood to family and friends will enable more Newfoundlanders and Labradorians to take advantage of the benefits associated with our forest resource.”

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Domestic Wood Cutting

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Media contact
Craig Renouf
Fisheries and Land Resources
709-637-2923, 640-6922
craigrenouf@gov.nl.ca

BACKGROUNDER 

Changes to Domestic Cutting Permit Regulations / Gifting of Wood Information

• A domestic cutting permit holder in Newfoundland and Labrador may list up to ten (10) individuals as assistants on that permit.

• Timber harvested under a domestic cutting permit is permitted to be given to another person or persons.

Gifting of Wood Regulations

• Persons receiving timber as a gift must be in possession of a letter from the gifter containing the name and address of the gifter and indicating that the timber was gifted to the person in possession of the timber.  The letter should include:
  • Domestic permit number under which the timber was harvested
  • Name and address of the domestic permit holder
  • Name of person receiving timber as a gift;
  • Quantity of timber that is being gifted;
  • Date that the timber was gifted;

• The holder of a domestic cutting permit does not have to be on site when harvesting is taking place.  However, the assistant(s) must be able to provide the permit for inspection if requested by a Conservation Officer when engaged in cutting timber on behalf of another individual.

• A domestic cutting permit holder may give away any or all of the timber allocated for harvest under that permit.

• Domestic cutting permit holder is only allowed to harvest the volume of wood stated on the permit regardless if the timber is gifted or not.

Updated Domestic Cutting Permit Application Information

Initial Permit Request:

Option 1: Individuals can visit a Forestry and Wildlife District Office to request, pay for and receive a cutting permit in person.  Individuals can also provide the names of assistants to be added to their permit at this time.

Option 2: Individuals can contact a Forestry and Wildlife District Office by telephone to request and pay for a domestic cutting permit.  The permit will then be mailed to the individual.  Individuals can also provide the names of assistants to be added to their permit at this time.   Please Note: An individual is not allowed to engage in wood cutting activity until they have their domestic cutting permit in hand.

Making Changes to an Existing Domestic Cutting Permit:

Option 1: Individuals can make changes to existing domestic cutting permits by visiting a Forestry and Wildlife District Office.  i.e. Adding or changing assistants or modifying designated cutting areas.

Option 2: Individuals can contact a Forestry and Wildlife District Office by telephone to make changes to existing domestic cutting permits.  An amended permit will then be mailed to the individual.  Please Note: An individual making changes by telephone to an existing permit is not allowed to engage in wood cutting activity until they have their amended domestic cutting permit in hand.