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rural 'high speed'.Â
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Hi Donna and All,
   While it is true that love (and passion) makes the world go round
it is also true that profit from primary industries pays ALL of the
bills. Profit is not evil and an opportunity for greater profit over the
long haul is something that any desk jockey can understand.
   In this instance of widespread clear cuts, which I accept as fact,
the key question is how to effect change to better practices. And to
effect change one must understand the driving forces. If one can
appreciate why something happens then a change in this driving force can
change the process.
   {{And a carrot is very effective. Germany, many decades ago,
promised house owners 8% annual income for 20 years on outlays for solar
power installations. The uptake was great, and a country with
unpromising weather for Solar Power became a world leader in Solar
Power.}} As one householder remarked; "I am being paid for living in my
house."
   According to clause 31 (3) of the Crown Lands Act {on the
internet}, cutting rights are issued for two years with extensions of up
to 12 months by application.
   This amounts to enforced clear cuts. The companies involved have no
alternative beyond cutting for maximum immediate profit because there is
no future. And to get maximum immediate profit one must clear cut.
   An even aged overstocked stand can be a consequence of a previous
clear cut, fire, blow down or leaf feeding insect such as Spruce
Budworm. But getting back from an even aged stand to an uneven aged
stand which is not overstocked is one long expensive uphill slog subject
to reversal by wind and drouth. And experience over many decades has
rubbed this in.
    When I recommend perpetual and marketable cutting rights I do not
mean loss of Crown control; *simply providing incentive for sound
management to enable maximum profit over the long term while maintaining
forest cover and wildlife habitat without interruption. The Austrian
system seems ideal under which areas recently cut selectively become
parkland and former parkland is opened to selective cutting.*
   In such a scheme I see great employment opportunity; e.g. the small
is beautiful concept: under which some individual or group could apply
for management/extraction rights on a defined plot and feel secure that
stand improvements would increase the value of their holding when it
reverted to Crown.
   This has been an interesting series of exchanges. Some say
everything is perfect as it is, no. Some say clear cuts are uncommon;no.
Some say the Lahey report has solved everything and is being implemented
post haste.....really ?
   I have read some of the Lahey Report; good soporific in need of
intensive selective cutting.
YT, D W, Kentville
On 12/11/2019 9:12 PM, Donna Crossland wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> The idea that forestry issues can be easily 'fixed' by establishing
> long-term commitments to forestry companies is over-simplifying an
> extremely complex issue. There are many other factors that fall into
> the equation, stemming from timber allocations to companies (each of
> our political parties had a hand in this) that exceed more wood volume
> than what the land can sustainably produce under natural systems,
> forestry companies under foreign ownership who may not have the same
> allegance to long-term sustainability, favoring quick, short-term
> profits and greed-based systems that have over-taken what was once a
> more respectable forestry industry, and new biomass forestry that has
> quietly overtaken us and showing every indication that biomass demands
> will outstrip the historical damage caused by pulp and paper
> industries. As we know, the pulp and paper industry did not make much
> use of hardwood stands, mostly focused on mining our red spruce
> forests, along with other softwoods. But the new focus on biomass can
> literally 'vacuum' up nearly anythin; indiscriminate forestry right
> down to the bushes if need be. Nearly anything makes a 1 inch chip,
> and shortterm profits driven by shareholders will outweigh long term
> finacial aspirations unless politicians and long-term agreements say
> otherwise. I've seen some landscapes on old Scott Paper lands that
> have left me sleepless, the forests annihilated, the land desolate and
> shelterless, silent, barren and hot.
>
> Since NatureNS is a site for naturalists who recognize the
> complexities of working with natural systems, many will readily
> acknowledge other other key factors of concern. What of the fact that
> Crown lands are also to serve a variety of public interests, such as
> recreation, tourism, bird watching, hiking, cycling, fishing, hunting,
> and ecosystem services? Those lands protect many headwaters of
> watersheds such as the LaHave, Annapolis, etc. Forestry companies
> tend to regard the land as entirely allocated for forestry with the
> exception of protected areas. Ecological forestry would address some
> of the opposing perspectives in land uses, but only if we can have
> industry adapted to harvesting lower volumes, and weened off even-aged
> management systems (including variable retention clearcuts). This
> won't be easy. Some companies know they will not endure, so they
> won't be interested in investing long-term? Only strong government
> over-sight can bring about the changes required, but there are few
> indications of this actioned on the ground.
>
> I believe that we have reached a point that some animals are
> struggling to find food as more mature and old growth forest is
> removed. Forest-dwelling wildlife food sources such as those for
> seed-eaters are removed for decades. Additionally, the cutting of so
> much forest, and now particularly our hardwoods, are depleting the
> already limited supply of nutrients. Over 50 % of NS has a soil
> nutrient depletion issue due to the slow-weathering bedrock and the
> non-recovery from wildfires and clearcuts, as well as acid rain (which
> is still suffering impacts, by the way, reduced by only ~ 50 %). We
> simply cannot carry out the kinds of forestry witnessed elsewhere
> without incurring significant damage to the very foundation of forests
> (soil). This nutrient depletion extends to lowering the quality of
> trout habitat though increased acidification of soils that would
> otherwise buffer streams. I have not seen any indication of
> 'connecting the dots' between forest health and stream health, despite
> extensive forest removal within a watershed being known to exacerbate
> water quality.
>
> As Bev Wigney so eloquently mentioned in her email last week on forest
> fragmentation, previously remote areas of forest now have roads
> fragmenting them, allowing streams to be fished that were previously
> less accessible, promoting deer habitat that might previously have
> been moose habitat and allowing hunters to penetrate this habitat to
> take down the last mainland moose. An interesting article on forest
> fragmentation impacts on wildlife:
> https://www.nytimes.com/2019/12/05/science/forests-fragmentation-wildlife.html
>
> The present practices see the roads cut nearly wide enough for a 100
> series highway, seemingly wider when placed in more valuable timber
> areas. In any case, they represent a permanent infrastructure and a
> permanent loss of forest cover. The more open they become the more
> the residual stands are vulnerable to wind throw from high wind
> events. If we added up all the area the roads occupy (a worthwhile GIS
> exercise), it would total many hectares of permanent forest loss and
> reduction of ability of the land to absorb greenhouse gases. An
> economic question regarding the proportion of public funds allocated
> to the building of these Crown roads would be interesting to
> untangle. Still more interesting would be a conversation on how to
> restore forest land now riddled with roads, since fewer roads are
> required under a true ecological forestry paradigm. The tax payer
> would no doubt have to pick up the bill for restoration and rehab,
> however.
>
> I sincerely hope the last vestiages of mature forests in NS will be
> regarded for more purposes than just forestry, as our neotropical
> migrants and other wildlife species are running out of suitable
> breeding habitat. Thresholds are being crossed to the point of no
> return. It's forever changed, contrary to the naive slogan - "trees
> grow back". Our forests are for the foreseeable future, spanning the
> next century and longer, degraded, reduced in biodiversity,
> fragmented, and less able to support healthy terrestrial and aquatic
> systems. Visiting Global Forest Watch interactive maps in an
> interesting venture. Explore the amount of forest cover loss over the
> past two decades (yrs 2000-2018): Â Global Forest Watch Interactive Map
> <https://www.globalforestwatch.org/map?mainMap=eyJzaG93QmFzZW1hcHMiOmZhbHNlfQ%3D%3D&map=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>
>
> Patience is required with this site. It may take a while to load on
> rural 'high speed'. Zoom to Nova Scotia. I suggest removing the box
> indicating "Tree cover -2000" on the left side of the page as it seems
> to block some detail. You can play with some of the legends, and may
> choose a satellite layer underlay from the bottom right side of the
> screen.
>
> The pink patches on the Global Forest Watch maps are mainly the result
> of forest activities; from the very forest practitioners who insist
> they know how to manage forests better than "amateurs", as recently
> referred to in the Herald on Dec 6th. An interesting quote:Â
> "/I//n//dustry harvests less than 60 per cent of sustainable levels in
> Nova Scotia. Only 0.78 per cent of Nova Scotia foreste/d /land is
> harvested annually. More trees are lost through mortality than
> commercially harvested. Clearcutting has been visibly reduced through
> interim measures in anticipation of Lahey report implementation. These
> are quantifiable facts, not opinions/."Â After examining Global Forest
> Watch where images of Nova Scotia's forest cover loss over the past 19
> years speak louder than words, do you think the pink areas represent ~
> 15 % of Nova Scotia's landbase? (0.78 harvest X 19 years= 14.82 %)Â
> If we subtrated the wetlands and other 'non-forest lands', there is
> even less forest cover remaining.
>
> Adding yet another issue to the already complex equation, our late
> successional, mature and old growth forests have additional stressors
> besides forestry to hasten their demise under unprecedented human
> impacts. There has been substantial blow down this year which took a
> toll on particularly large trees, and now invasive pests threaten
> hemlock, beech, and ash species. These latest 'signals' have not yet
> been fully added to Global Forest Watch images. Global trade and
> other human activities are bringing still more Invasive insects in the
> future. It will be even more paramount NOT to move untreated wood
> products over long distances. We must earnestly do what we can to
> protect and carefully manage the remaining intact forests.
>
> Donna Crossland
>
> Tupperville, NS
>
>
> On 2019-12-06 6:18 p.m., Bev Wigney wrote:
>> David, and all.
>>
>> I think that with the type of road systems being built throughout the
>> Crown land forests -- roads that are better than many county roads --
>> many gravelled and with nice bridges, etc.. and with the forest
>> cleared back many metres on each side -- roads that are now like
>> arteries burrowing into the most remote of our forests -- the
>> clear-cutting we are seeing has nothing to do with "short term
>> planning". This has the distinct mark of "playing for keeps".
>>
>> That the forests are being clear-cut with so little retention, clearly
>> points to "someone" creating a tabula rasa upon which to create the
>> "high production" forests that are already slated to become one leg of
>> the Triad model described in the Lahey report.
>>
>> What of the rest of the forest? Unfortunately, there's been a lot of
>> collateral damage -- the road networks have fragmented huge swaths of
>> the forests of this province. If you have not already driven far into
>> these mazes, I encourage you to take a trip sometime -- but be sure to
>> take along your GPS, compass, etc.. or you may not find your way back
>> out as there will be many twists and turns deeper and deeper into the
>> land. Along the way, you'll be sure to see plenty of empty space
>> where once there were forests.
>>
>> As for the so-called "ecological forest leg" of the Triad model -- L&F
>> had better hurry up and get their promised Forest Management Guides,
>> Soil Nutrient Analysis, Biodiversity Plans, etc... together because,
>> while we all twiddle out thumbs waiting for these repeatedly delayed
>> reports, guidelines, committees, etc.., no one is holding back on
>> taking down the forests. However, they don't call it clear-cutting
>> these days, but instead, it's "variable retention" -- at best, it's
>> 30%, but we're seeing plenty at 10% in the HPMV updates. And as you
>> have no doubt heard, Lands & ForestRY made a major "math mistake" that
>> would have upped the annual allocation to the Westfor consortium by 28
>> percent. Gee, only a 68,000 tonne overage error, but what's a few
>> dozen tonnes overage between friends?
>> https://www.halifaxexaminer.ca/province-house/bad-math-at-lands-forestry/
>>
>> bev
>>
>>
>> On 12/6/19, David Webster<dwebster@glinx.com> wrote:
>>> Hi Bev & All,
>>>
>>> But just keep in mind that the key to better management and higher
>>> profits over the long haul is to get cutting rights perpetual instead of
>>> within two years. If that can be changed then the rest will follow. One
>>> should be careful to not demonize logging or profits.
>>>
>>> Logging practices will improve if the truth that selective cutting
>>> of uneven aged stands increases profit over the long haul can be widely
>>> recognized as valid.
>>>
>>> Under the current system, companies have no incentive to develop
>>> uneven aged stands which make periodic selective cutting possible.
>>> Starting with the mess which follows a clear cut it takes a huge amount
>>> of work and continuity of effort to coax it back to a stand in which all
>>> ages are represented.
>>>
>>> A company can afford this initial investment only if they hold
>>> permanent cutting rights.
>>>
>>> YT, DW, Kentville
>>>
>>> On 12/6/2019 11:22 AM, Bev Wigney wrote:
>>>> Perhaps it would work if those involved had better ethics and were
>>>> responsible and actually cared about our forests and weren't just in
>>>> it for the bucks and to grab as much of the forest as they possibly
>>>> can, using contractors who often don't even reside in this province.
>>>> So much for caring about jobs for our own local forestry workers who
>>>> can't even get work much of the time because it's all being contracted
>>>> out to guys with heavy machinery that can take out a whole forest in a
>>>> few days -- it's being done all over the province. So much for the
>>>> small mills who don't have any pull and can't get decent saw logs
>>>> because they aren't part of the "in crowd".
>>>>
>>>> This isn't about forest management. This is all about power and
>>>> keeping it in the hands of those who already have it.
>>>>
>>>> What should probably happen is turn all of the Crown land forests over
>>>> to regional forestry cooperatives who would make the decisions for
>>>> every forest in their territory based on consultation with local
>>>> people, First Nations, local mills, etc.. There should be no large
>>>> scale consortium or vertically integrated industrial power calling the
>>>> shots on anything in this province anymore. They have failed
>>>> miserably with their "so-called management".
>>>>
>>>> bev
>>>>
>>>> On 12/6/19, David Webster<dwebster@glinx.com> wrote:
>>>>> Hi George & All,
>>>>>
>>>>> This could take a while.
>>>>>
>>>>> John is thoroughly convinced that the current harvesting system is
>>>>> as perfect as it can possibly be. He does not want to be confused with
>>>>> facts. Meanwhile we now know what lies behind this destructive process.
>>>>>
>>>>> And I hope others will drive in the advantage of perpetual cutting
>>>>> rights wedge at any opportunity.
>>>>>
>>>>> Dave
>>>>>
>>>>> On 12/4/2019 1:30 PM, George Forsyth wrote:
>>>>>> Well done, we look forward to his response.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> George Forsyth
>>>>>>
>>>>>> On 04/12/2019, David Webster<dwebster@glinx.com> wrote:
>>>>>>> Hon. John Lohr:
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> I have wondered for many years why nearly all Crown Land
>>>>>>> cuttings
>>>>>>> are clear cuts; and I think I now understand why. I wrote to the DNR
>>>>>>> minister Nov. 21 but I expect he has has no time for public input. So
>>>>>>> I
>>>>>>> am writing you in the hope that some opportunity may arise for you to
>>>>>>> personally ask a few pointed questions.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Some weeks ago I noticed a comment on Facebook which implied
>>>>>>> that
>>>>>>> cutting rights on Crown Land were for one specific harvest as opposed
>>>>>>> to
>>>>>>> perpetual but marketable rights. A reading of the Crown Land Act
>>>>>>> appears
>>>>>>> to confirm this; excerpt below.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> "Sale of resources
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> 31 (1) The Minister may offer timber or other resources from Crown
>>>>>>> lands
>>>>>>> for sale by tender, public auction or other means upon such terms as
>>>>>>> the
>>>>>>> Minister deems expedient.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> (2) Subsequent to a sale pursuant to subsection (1), the Minister may
>>>>>>> issue a licence upon such terms and conditions as the Minister deems
>>>>>>> appropriate.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> (3) No licence issued pursuant to this Section shall be granted for a
>>>>>>> longer period than two years or renewed for a longer period than
>>>>>>> twelve
>>>>>>> months at any one time./R.S., c. 114, s. 31."/
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> If a logging company does not have perpetual cutting rights to
>>>>>>> a
>>>>>>> given block of woodland then they will have no incentive to manage it
>>>>>>> for maximum profit over the long haul and every incentive to aim for
>>>>>>> maximum immediate profit which naturally will be to clear cut it.
>>>>>>> Consequently, for sound management of Crown Land forests,
>>>>>>> Clause
>>>>>>> 31(3) should be modified so that cutting rights are perpetual with
>>>>>>> provision to sell rights back to Crown if a company closes operations.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> RATIONALE:
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Apart from soil degradation, bald spots and erosion which may
>>>>>>> follow clear cutting the greatest fault is loss of revenue. The
>>>>>>> productivity curve following a typical clear cut is described in Farm
>>>>>>> Woodlots in Eastern Canada, E. S. Richards, Ottawa, 120 pp., 1939. on
>>>>>>> page 15. After a clear cut it takes 30 years to grow 2 cord of Spruce
>>>>>>> and yield in the second 30 years is 42 cord.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> The primary advantage of selective cutting, which I have
>>>>>>> practiced
>>>>>>> for 77 years, is that the slow growth of young trees occurs in the
>>>>>>> spaces between larger trees. Consequently, in an uneven aged
>>>>>>> selectively cut stand, that initial 30 year period of vanishingly low
>>>>>>> yield is eliminated. In addition, clear cuts lead to overstocked
>>>>>>> regrowth and a huge non-commercial thinning investment.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Please note that Richards, in this 1939 publication, advocates
>>>>>>> selective cutting. And this was a period where felling options would
>>>>>>> have been axe or crosscut saw. Currently, using chainsaws or felling
>>>>>>> equipment, selective cutting is far easier than it would have been
>>>>>>> prior
>>>>>>> to 1939.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Yours truly,
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> David H. Webster, Kentville
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> 902-678-7824
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
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<p>Hi Donna and All,</p>
<p>Â Â Â While it is true that love (and passion) makes the world go
round it is also true that profit from primary industries pays ALL
of the bills. Profit is not evil and an opportunity for greater
profit over the long haul is something that any desk jockey can
understand.</p>
<p>Â Â Â In this instance of widespread clear cuts, which I accept as
fact, the key question is how to effect change to better
practices. And to effect change one must understand the driving
forces. If one can appreciate why something happens then a change
in this driving force can change the process.</p>
<p>Â Â Â {{And a carrot is very effective. Germany, many decades ago,
promised house owners 8% annual income for 20 years on outlays for
solar power installations. The uptake was great, and a country
with unpromising weather for Solar Power became a world leader in
Solar Power.}} As one householder remarked; "I am being paid for
living in my house."<br>
</p>
<p>Â Â Â According to clause 31 (3) of the Crown Lands Act {on the
internet}, cutting rights are issued for two years with extensions
of up to 12 months by application. <br>
</p>
<p>Â Â Â This amounts to enforced clear cuts. The companies involved
have no alternative beyond cutting for maximum immediate profit
because there is no future. And to get maximum immediate profit
one must clear cut.<br>
</p>
<p>Â Â Â An even aged overstocked stand can be a consequence of a
previous clear cut, fire, blow down or leaf feeding insect such as
Spruce Budworm. But getting back from an even aged stand to an
uneven aged stand which is not overstocked is one long expensive
uphill slog subject to reversal by wind and drouth. And experience
over many decades has rubbed this in.<br>
</p>
<p>Â Â Â Â When I recommend perpetual and marketable cutting rights I
do not mean loss of Crown control; <b><font color="#009900">simply
providing incentive for sound management to enable maximum
profit over the long term while maintaining forest cover and
wildlife habitat without interruption. The Austrian system
seems ideal under which areas recently cut selectively become
parkland and former parkland is opened to selective cutting.</font></b><br>
</p>
<p>Â Â Â In such a scheme I see great employment opportunity; e.g. the
small is beautiful concept: under which some individual or group
could apply for management/extraction rights on a defined plot and
feel secure that stand improvements would increase the value of
their holding when it reverted to Crown.</p>
<p>Â Â Â This has been an interesting series of exchanges. Some say
everything is perfect as it is, no. Some say clear cuts are
uncommon;no. Some say the Lahey report has solved everything and
is being implemented post haste.....really ? <br>
</p>
<p>Â Â Â I have read some of the Lahey Report; good soporific in need
of intensive selective cutting. <br>
</p>
<p>YT, D W, Kentville<br>
</p>
<p>Â Â Â <br>
</p>
<p>Â Â Â <br>
</p>
<p>Â Â Â <br>
</p>
<p> <br>
</p>
<p> <br>
</p>
<p>Â Â Â <br>
</p>
<p>Â Â Â <br>
</p>
<p> <br>
</p>
<p>Â Â Â <br>
</p>
<div class="moz-cite-prefix">On 12/11/2019 9:12 PM, Donna Crossland
wrote:<br>
</div>
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The idea that forestry issues can be easily 'fixed' by
establishing long-term commitments to forestry companies is
over-simplifying an extremely complex issue. There are many
other factors that fall into the equation, stemming from
timber allocations to companies (each of our political parties
had a hand in this) that exceed more wood volume than what the
land can sustainably produce under natural systems, forestry
companies under foreign ownership who may not have the same
allegance to long-term sustainability, favoring quick,
short-term profits and greed-based systems that have
over-taken what was once a more respectable forestry industry,
and new biomass forestry that has quietly overtaken us and
showing every indication that biomass demands will outstrip
the historical damage caused by pulp and paper industries. As
we know, the pulp and paper industry did not make much use of
hardwood stands, mostly focused on mining our red spruce
forests, along with other softwoods. But the new focus on
biomass can literally 'vacuum' up nearly anythin;
indiscriminate forestry right down to the bushes if need be.Â
Nearly anything makes a 1 inch chip, and shortterm profits
driven by shareholders will outweigh long term finacial
aspirations unless politicians and long-term agreements say
otherwise. I've seen some landscapes on old Scott Paper lands
that have left me sleepless, the forests annihilated, the land
desolate and shelterless, silent, barren and hot.   <br>
<p>Since NatureNS is a site for naturalists who recognize the
complexities of working with natural systems, many will
readily acknowledge other other key factors of concern.Â
What of the fact that Crown lands are also to serve a
variety of public interests, such as recreation, tourism,
bird watching, hiking, cycling, fishing, hunting, and
ecosystem services? Those lands protect many headwaters of
watersheds such as the LaHave, Annapolis, etc. Forestry
companies tend to regard the land as entirely allocated for
forestry with the exception of protected areas. Ecological
forestry would address some of the opposing perspectives in
land uses, but only if we can have industry adapted to
harvesting lower volumes, and weened off even-aged
management systems (including variable retention
clearcuts). This won't be easy. Some companies know they
will not endure, so they won't be interested in investing
long-term? Only strong government over-sight can bring
about the changes required, but there are few indications of
this actioned on the ground.<br>
</p>
<p>I believe that we have reached a point that some animals
are struggling to find food as more mature and old growth
forest is removed. Forest-dwelling wildlife food sources
such as those for seed-eaters are removed for decades.Â
Additionally, the cutting of so much forest, and now
particularly our hardwoods, are depleting the already
limited supply of nutrients. Over 50 % of NS has a soil
nutrient depletion issue due to the slow-weathering bedrock
and the non-recovery from wildfires and clearcuts, as well
as acid rain (which is still suffering impacts, by the way,
reduced by only ~ 50 %). We simply cannot carry out the
kinds of forestry witnessed elsewhere without incurring
significant damage to the very foundation of forests
(soil). This nutrient depletion extends to lowering the
quality of trout habitat though increased acidification of
soils that would otherwise buffer streams. I have not seen
any indication of 'connecting the dots' between forest
health and stream health, despite extensive forest removal
within a watershed being known to exacerbate water quality.Â
<br>
</p>
<p>As Bev Wigney so eloquently mentioned in her email last
week on forest fragmentation, previously remote areas of
forest now have roads fragmenting them, allowing streams to
be fished that were previously less accessible, promoting
deer habitat that might previously have been moose habitat
and allowing hunters to penetrate this habitat to take down
the last mainland moose. An interesting article on forest
fragmentation impacts on wildlife:Â <a
href="https://www.nytimes.com/2019/12/05/science/forests-fragmentation-wildlife.html"
moz-do-not-send="true">https://www.nytimes.com/2019/12/05/science/forests-fragmentation-wildlife.html</a></p>
<p>The present practices see the roads cut nearly wide enough
for a 100 series highway, seemingly wider when placed in
more valuable timber areas. In any case, they represent a
permanent infrastructure and a permanent loss of forest
cover. The more open they become the more the residual
stands are vulnerable to wind throw from high wind events.
If we added up all the area the roads occupy (a worthwhile
GIS exercise), it would total many hectares of permanent
forest loss and reduction of ability of the land to absorb
greenhouse gases. An economic question regarding the
proportion of public funds allocated to the building of
these Crown roads would be interesting to untangle. Still
more interesting would be a conversation on how to restore
forest land now riddled with roads, since fewer roads are
required under a true ecological forestry paradigm. The tax
payer would no doubt have to pick up the bill for
restoration and rehab, however.</p>
<p>I sincerely hope the last vestiages of mature forests in NS
will be regarded for more purposes than just forestry, as
our neotropical migrants and other wildlife species are
running out of suitable breeding habitat. Thresholds are
being crossed to the point of no return. It's forever
changed, contrary to the naive slogan - "trees grow back".Â
Our forests are for the foreseeable future, spanning the
next century and longer, degraded, reduced in biodiversity,
fragmented, and less able to support healthy terrestrial and
aquatic systems. Visiting Global Forest Watch interactive
maps in an interesting venture. Explore the amount of
forest cover loss over the past two decades (yrs
2000-2018):Â <a moz-do-not-send="true"
href="https://www.globalforestwatch.org/map?mainMap=eyJzaG93QmFzZW1hcHMiOmZhbHNlfQ%3D%3D&map=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">Â Global
Forest Watch Interactive Map</a><br>
</p>
<p>Patience is required with this site. It may take a while
to load on rural 'high speed'. Zoom to Nova Scotia. I
suggest removing the box indicating "Tree cover -2000" on
the left side of the page as it seems to block some detail.Â
You can play with some of the legends, and may choose a
satellite layer underlay from the bottom right side of the
screen. <br>
</p>
<p>The pink patches on the Global Forest Watch maps are mainly
the result of forest activities; from the very forest
practitioners who insist they know how to manage forests
better than "amateurs", as recently referred to in the
Herald on Dec 6th. An interesting quote: "<span
class="Fid_2"><i> I</i><i>n</i><i>dustry harvests less
than 60 per cent of sustainable levels in Nova Scotia.
Only 0.78 per cent of Nova Scotia foreste</i>d <i>land
is harvested annually. More trees are lost through
mortality than commercially harvested. Clearcutting has
been visibly reduced through interim measures in
anticipation of Lahey report implementation. These are
quantifiable facts, not opinions</i>."Â After examining
Global Forest Watch where images of Nova Scotia's forest
cover loss over the past 19 years speak louder than words,
do you think the pink areas represent ~ 15 % of Nova
Scotia's landbase? (0.78 harvest X 19 years= 14.82 %) If
we subtrated the wetlands and other 'non-forest lands',
there is even less forest cover remaining.</span> </p>
<p>Adding yet another issue to the already complex equation,
our late successional, mature and old growth forests have
additional stressors besides forestry to hasten their demise
under unprecedented human impacts. There has been
substantial blow down this year which took a toll on
particularly large trees, and now invasive pests threaten
hemlock, beech, and ash species. These latest 'signals'
have not yet been fully added to Global Forest Watch
images. Global trade and other human activities are
bringing still more Invasive insects in the future. It will
be even more paramount NOT to move untreated wood products
over long distances. We must earnestly do what we can to
protect and carefully manage the remaining intact forests. <br>
</p>
<p>Donna Crossland</p>
<p>Tupperville, NS<br>
</p>
<p><br>
</p>
<div class="moz-cite-prefix">On 2019-12-06 6:18 p.m., Bev
Wigney wrote:<br>
</div>
<blockquote type="cite"
cite="mid:CAD_MH0Oh=8QjKLQ=G-+6gkdJ-72zeUp6YDkLZTYtuaiauxwt2w@mail.gmail.com">
<pre class="moz-quote-pre" wrap="">David, and all.
I think that with the type of road systems being built throughout the
Crown land forests -- roads that are better than many county roads --
many gravelled and with nice bridges, etc.. and with the forest
cleared back many metres on each side -- roads that are now like
arteries burrowing into the most remote of our forests -- the
clear-cutting we are seeing has nothing to do with "short term
planning". This has the distinct mark of "playing for keeps".
That the forests are being clear-cut with so little retention, clearly
points to "someone" creating a tabula rasa upon which to create the
"high production" forests that are already slated to become one leg of
the Triad model described in the Lahey report.
What of the rest of the forest? Unfortunately, there's been a lot of
collateral damage -- the road networks have fragmented huge swaths of
the forests of this province. If you have not already driven far into
these mazes, I encourage you to take a trip sometime -- but be sure to
take along your GPS, compass, etc.. or you may not find your way back
out as there will be many twists and turns deeper and deeper into the
land. Along the way, you'll be sure to see plenty of empty space
where once there were forests.
As for the so-called "ecological forest leg" of the Triad model -- L&F
had better hurry up and get their promised Forest Management Guides,
Soil Nutrient Analysis, Biodiversity Plans, etc... together because,
while we all twiddle out thumbs waiting for these repeatedly delayed
reports, guidelines, committees, etc.., no one is holding back on
taking down the forests. However, they don't call it clear-cutting
these days, but instead, it's "variable retention" -- at best, it's
30%, but we're seeing plenty at 10% in the HPMV updates. And as you
have no doubt heard, Lands & ForestRY made a major "math mistake" that
would have upped the annual allocation to the Westfor consortium by 28
percent. Gee, only a 68,000 tonne overage error, but what's a few
dozen tonnes overage between friends?
https://www.halifaxexaminer.ca/province-house/bad-math-at-lands-forestry/
bev
On 12/6/19, David Webster <dwebster@glinx.com> wrote:
</pre>
<blockquote type="cite">
<pre class="moz-quote-pre" wrap="">Hi Bev & All,
But just keep in mind that the key to better management and higher
profits over the long haul is to get cutting rights perpetual instead of
within two years. If that can be changed then the rest will follow. One
should be careful to not demonize logging or profits.
Logging practices will improve if the truth that selective cutting
of uneven aged stands increases profit over the long haul can be widely
recognized as valid.
Under the current system, companies have no incentive to develop
uneven aged stands which make periodic selective cutting possible.
Starting with the mess which follows a clear cut it takes a huge amount
of work and continuity of effort to coax it back to a stand in which all
ages are represented.
A company can afford this initial investment only if they hold
permanent cutting rights.
YT, DW, Kentville
On 12/6/2019 11:22 AM, Bev Wigney wrote:
</pre>
<blockquote type="cite">
<pre class="moz-quote-pre" wrap="">Perhaps it would work if those involved had better ethics and were
responsible and actually cared about our forests and weren't just in
it for the bucks and to grab as much of the forest as they possibly
can, using contractors who often don't even reside in this province.
So much for caring about jobs for our own local forestry workers who
can't even get work much of the time because it's all being contracted
out to guys with heavy machinery that can take out a whole forest in a
few days -- it's being done all over the province. So much for the
small mills who don't have any pull and can't get decent saw logs
because they aren't part of the "in crowd".
This isn't about forest management. This is all about power and
keeping it in the hands of those who already have it.
What should probably happen is turn all of the Crown land forests over
to regional forestry cooperatives who would make the decisions for
every forest in their territory based on consultation with local
people, First Nations, local mills, etc.. There should be no large
scale consortium or vertically integrated industrial power calling the
shots on anything in this province anymore. They have failed
miserably with their "so-called management".
bev
On 12/6/19, David Webster <dwebster@glinx.com> wrote:
</pre>
<blockquote type="cite">
<pre class="moz-quote-pre" wrap="">Hi George & All,
This could take a while.
John is thoroughly convinced that the current harvesting system is
as perfect as it can possibly be. He does not want to be confused with
facts. Meanwhile we now know what lies behind this destructive process.
And I hope others will drive in the advantage of perpetual cutting
rights wedge at any opportunity.
Dave
On 12/4/2019 1:30 PM, George Forsyth wrote:
</pre>
<blockquote type="cite">
<pre class="moz-quote-pre" wrap="">Well done, we look forward to his response.
George Forsyth
On 04/12/2019, David Webster <dwebster@glinx.com> wrote:
</pre>
<blockquote type="cite">
<pre class="moz-quote-pre" wrap="">Hon. John Lohr:
I have wondered for many years why nearly all Crown Land
cuttings
are clear cuts; and I think I now understand why. I wrote to the DNR
minister Nov. 21 but I expect he has has no time for public input. So
I
am writing you in the hope that some opportunity may arise for you to
personally ask a few pointed questions.
Some weeks ago I noticed a comment on Facebook which implied
that
cutting rights on Crown Land were for one specific harvest as opposed
to
perpetual but marketable rights. A reading of the Crown Land Act
appears
to confirm this; excerpt below.
"Sale of resources
31 (1) The Minister may offer timber or other resources from Crown
lands
for sale by tender, public auction or other means upon such terms as
the
Minister deems expedient.
(2) Subsequent to a sale pursuant to subsection (1), the Minister may
issue a licence upon such terms and conditions as the Minister deems
appropriate.
(3) No licence issued pursuant to this Section shall be granted for a
longer period than two years or renewed for a longer period than
twelve
months at any one time./R.S., c. 114, s. 31."/
If a logging company does not have perpetual cutting rights to
a
given block of woodland then they will have no incentive to manage it
for maximum profit over the long haul and every incentive to aim for
maximum immediate profit which naturally will be to clear cut it.
Consequently, for sound management of Crown Land forests,
Clause
31(3) should be modified so that cutting rights are perpetual with
provision to sell rights back to Crown if a company closes operations.
RATIONALE:
Apart from soil degradation, bald spots and erosion which may
follow clear cutting the greatest fault is loss of revenue. The
productivity curve following a typical clear cut is described in Farm
Woodlots in Eastern Canada, E. S. Richards, Ottawa, 120 pp., 1939. on
page 15. After a clear cut it takes 30 years to grow 2 cord of Spruce
and yield in the second 30 years is 42 cord.
The primary advantage of selective cutting, which I have
practiced
for 77 years, is that the slow growth of young trees occurs in the
spaces between larger trees. Consequently, in an uneven aged
selectively cut stand, that initial 30 year period of vanishingly low
yield is eliminated. In addition, clear cuts lead to overstocked
regrowth and a huge non-commercial thinning investment.
Please note that Richards, in this 1939 publication, advocates
selective cutting. And this was a period where felling options would
have been axe or crosscut saw. Currently, using chainsaws or felling
equipment, selective cutting is far easier than it would have been
prior
to 1939.
Yours truly,
David H. Webster, Kentville
902-678-7824
</pre>
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