Frustration in registering concerns about cuts into a deer wintering area on Crown land in Upper Vaughan

Small additions made Oct 1, 2018
New comment added Oct 2, 2018
Comments on WWNS added Oct 2, 2018

Shades of issues surrounding the Loon Lake area cuts of Old Growth earlier this year

A gentleman who wishes to be named only as “Mr. Concerned” has forwarded via Woods and Water Nova Scotia a set of e-mails between himself and Marcus Zwicker, General Manager of Westfor, related to the cutting into a deer wintering area on Crown land in Upper Vaughan as highlighted in a CBC article (Sep 16, 2018) and radio interview (Sep 13, 2018 ) with hunter/trapper Mark Kehoe. (View also Concerns expressed about cutting into a deer wintering area on Crown land in Upper Vaughan (Post, Sep 8, 2018); and  Minister Iain Rankin on proposed clearcut (audio) CBC Info AM, Sep 14, 2018.

Here is what WWNS received in a covering message from ‘Mr. Concerned’:

Hi there, your post about the wood harvesting in the Vaughn DWA prompted me to submit comments to NSDLF in opposition. I received a response from Westfor indicating that my concerns aren’t really valid because A) Proper protocol for harvesting in deer wintering areas was followed and B) Mainland Moose and American Martin are not present. I have responded with the CBC article you posted which references the Department of Lands and Forestry having confirmed sightings of both those species.

Below are copies of the e-mail exchanges as forwarded by Mr. Concerned.

In brief, the CBC article & interview cited comments by Mark Kehoe “who lives on nearby Zwicker Lake in Upper Vaughan and has been hunting and trapping in the area for about 30 years…Kehoe said he has seen endangered mainland moose in the area and found evidence of the American marten, a species once thought to have disappeared from the mainland, according to the province’s species at risk list.” The CBC article said that “The Department of Lands and Forestry has records of two mainland moose sightings and a record of one American marten sighting on the parcel of land.”

In his submission to ForestryMaps@novascotia.ca (via the Forest Harvest Allocation Maps), which in turn went to Marcus Zwicker, General Manager of Westfor, Mr. Concerned cited the presence of sensitive endangered species (Mainland Moose and American Marten) as a reason he is opposed to the harvests.

In the ensuing back and forth, Mr. Zwicker refers to records they apparently use routinely to determine whether there are SAR (Species at Risk) in the area, and those do not show those species, and leaves it at that; there is no acknowledgment that Mark Kehoe, an experienced trapper had seen mainland moose in the area and also evidence of marten; nor is there any follow-up of the CBC Report that “Department of Lands and Forestry has records of two mainland moose sightings and a record of one American marten sighting on the parcel of land.”

Surely, the cuts should either be stopped (accepting the evidence offered by Hunter/Trapper Mark Kehoe for occurrence of Species At Risk in the area); OR put on hold while Lands and Forestry interviews Mark Kehoe, conducts ground investigations, and checks out the source and validity of the CBC report that the “Department of Lands and Forestry has records of two mainland moose sightings and a record of one American marten sighting on the parcel of land.”

Such steps would be consistent with recommendation #18 in the Report from the Independent Review: “DNR [now Lands and Forestry] must ensure, as an immediate priority, the the Endangered Species Act is fully implemented on crown land…”

Hopefully NS Lands and Forestry can still recall the Loon Lake area cuts of Old Growth as reported by Danny George (Post, Feb 23, 2018). At first, the reports of Old Growth were treated  skeptically because they weren’t confirmed by their desk accessible records*, but they were were finally confirmed by field surveys (Post, May 17, 2018).

Comment added by NSFN Oct 2, 2018:
In e-mail # 4 below, Mr. Zwicker states

“I have attached a map of Western NS, it is data up too and including April of 2018, for all confirmed Moose and American Marten Species sightings. The Atlantic Canada conservation Center is the organization that works with public, government and industry organizations to conduct species at risk surveys and store all relevant data associated with them in Atlantic Canada. I have attached a link to their website for your information, http://accdc.com/“.

I suspect ACCDC would be the first to acknowledge that their data only record confirmed sightings and that those can be quite limited compared to actual distributions; and likely that they would follow up on reports on occurrences of SAR from experienced trappers (when they have the resources to do so).

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From NS Species at Risk Overview

The native population of moose in Nova Scotia is limited to approximately 1000 individuals in isolated sub-populations across the mainland. The population has declined by at least 20% over the past 30 years with much greater reductions in distribution and population size over more than 200 years, despite emxtensive hunting closures since the 1930’s. The decline is not well understood but involves a complex of threats including: over harvesting, illegal hunting, climate change, parasitic brainworm, increased road access to moose habitat, spread of white-tailed deer, very high levels of cadmium, deficiencies in cobalt and possibly an unknown viral disease. Moose on Cape Breton Island are not risk as they are abundant and the result of a re-introduction of moose from Alberta in the 1940’s. Additional Information

The Cape Breton population of Marten is likely less than 50 animals. At present there is no evidence of breeding and there has been extensive loss and degradation of suitable habitat. Marten were trapped extensively throughout Nova Scotia since the 1700’s until the season was closed in the early 1900’s due to low numbers. The species was thought to have been extirpated from the mainland and several re-introductions have been attempted. There have been some very recent records of Marten in southwest Nova Scotia. However, the status of the Marten on the mainland is considered “data deficient.” More research is required. Additional Information

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E-mail exchanges between Mr. Concerned & Marcus Zwicker, General Manager of WestFor

1. From: Mr. Concerned to Marcus Zwicker

Sent: September 17, 2018 10:22 AM
To: marcus.zwicker@westfor.org
Cc: ForestryMaps@novascotia.ca
Subject: Harvest Plans Map – Comments for BlockID #HN0680942

LicenseID: 80003004

User Information:
Name: Mr. Concerned

Form Information:
I oppose wood harvesting in this area due to the presence of sensitive endangered species (Mainland Moose and American Marten). Further destruction of habitat could be detrimental to the populations of these species.

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2. From: Marcus Zwicker to Mr. Concerned

Sent: September 27, 2018 11:58 AM
To: Mr. Concerned
Cc: ForestryMaps@novascotia.ca
Subject: RE: Harvest Plans Map – Comments for BlockID #HN0680942

Thank you very much for the comments and concerns regarding forest management in the Vaughn Area

The area you are referencing is located in a Deer Wintering area (DWA), it is very important that forest management activities consider all values including wildlife. When operating on Crown Land in a DWA the forest licensee is required to conduct operations that comply with their Special Management Practise (SMP). This SMP is designed by DNR’s Wildlife Management office that addresses the needs of both shelter and food required by deer during harsh winters when they yard up. I have attached the SMP that was applied to this area and approved by the Provincial Wildlife Biologist and included but not limited the following conditions:

– 2 uncut, 100 hectare shelter patches that are no more than 250 meters away
– Openings with corridors of no larger than 10 hectares to provide food
– Cover of at least 50% of the DWA maintained at conifer trees at least 15 meters in height

I have attached a map of the area the [that] shows
– the proposed harvest (89 hectares), made up of patches less than 10 hectares and connectivity corridors between them that combined account for 11% of the total area designated for DWA – – the outline of the actual Deer Wintering Area that covers both private land (334 hectares) and Crown Land (426 hectares)
– the 2 uncut, 100 hectare shelter patches in blue

Although you have listed 2 other species that there are Special Management Practices for in the province, American Marten and Mainland moose, neither of the species have been identified as present nor requiring this area to have the SMP’s implemented on. The primary focus of the forest management activities in this area is for deer and the operations is designed as such. I have attached the SMP’s that would be applicable if identified as species present. There are other areas in NS that have been identified for these species and we apply the SMP’s accordingly.

Please let me know if there are any other questions,

Thank you

Marcus Zwicker
General Manager – WestFor Management Inc.

SMPs attached: SMP_American_Marten | SMP_Mainland_Moose | SMP_White-tailed_Deer

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3. From Mr. Concerned to Marcus Zwicker

Sent: September 27, 2018 1:00 PM
To: Marcus Zwicker <marcus.zwicker@westfor.org>
Subject: Re: Harvest Plans Map – Comments for BlockID #HN0680942

Hi Marcus,

Thank you for your reply, I appreciate the information and look forward to reviewing it. In the meantime I have one further question. In your response you state:

“Although you have listed 2 other species that there are Special Management Practices for in the province, American Marten and Mainland moose, neither of the species have been identified as present nor requiring this area to have the SMP’s implemented on”

The following article from the CBC sites that “The Department of Lands and Forestry has records of two mainland moose sightings and a record of one American marten sighting on the parcel of land.”

Clear cut would destroy critical animal habitat, says Nova Scotia hunter
Phlis McGregor, Nina Corfu · CBC News · Posted: Sep 16, 2018

I would appreciate commentary on this information as well.

Kind Regards,

Mr. Concerned.

From the article:

Mark Kehoe, who lives on nearby Zwicker Lake in Upper Vaughan and has been hunting and trapping in the area for about 30 years, told CBC’s Information Morning that animals in the area have already lost a lot of habitat over the years.

He said this is a case where “we should step up and say ‘leave this piece of woods for them.’

…Kehoe said he has seen endangered mainland moose in the area and found evidence of the American marten, a species once thought to have disappeared from the mainland, according to the province’s species at risk list.

The Department of Lands and Forestry has records of two mainland moose sightings and a record of one American marten sighting on the parcel of land.

Minister of Lands and Forestry Iain Rankin told Information Morning the presence of endangered species in the area “possibly could” be grounds for denying WestFor permission to clear cut.

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4.Marcus Zwicker to Mr. Concerned:

From: Marcus Zwicker <marcus.zwicker@westfor.org>
Sent: September 27, 2018 1:50 PM
To: ‘Matt Balcombe’
Subject: RE: Harvest Plans Map – Comments for BlockID #HN0680942

Mr. Concerned:

I have attached a map of Western NS, it is data up too and including April of 2018, for all confirmed Moose and American Marten Species sightings. The Atlantic Canada conservation Center is the organization that works with public, government and industry organizations to conduct species at risk surveys and store all relevant data associated with them in Atlantic Canada,

I have attached a link to their website for your information,

http://accdc.com/

Please let me know if there are any more questions

Marcus Zwicker
General Manager – WestFor Management Inc.

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5. Mr. Concerned to Marcus Zwicker

From: Mr. Concerned
Sent: September 27, 2018 2:15 PM
To: Marcus Zwicker <marcus.zwicker@westfor.org>
Subject: Re: Harvest Plans Map – Comments for BlockID #HN0680942

Hi Marcus,

Again thank you for the prompt reply and information. I see the map you sent me indicates a sighting of mainland moose within approximately 5km of the harvest area. Could you clarify on what ground mainland moose are not considered “present” and the SMP do not apply to those parcels?

Thanks,

Mr. Concerned.

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6.Marcus Zwicker to Mr. Concerned

From: Marcus Zwicker <marcus.zwicker@westfor.org>
Sent: September 27, 2018 2:35 PM
To: MR. Concerned
Subject: RE: Harvest Plans Map – Comments for BlockID #HN0680942

Mr. Concerned,

DLF, DOE Wildlife Division and associated Recovery Teams identify the areas that the Special Management Practices are applied, Using forest and habitat requirements as well as relevant data from sightings and population survey teams,

In either of the Recovery teams SMPs (attached and contain maps), they have determined where this is on the landscape and where the SMP’s apply

Marcus Zwicker
General Manager – WestFor Management Inc.

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Added Oct 2, 2018:
Some of the comments on WWNS in response to this post:

BW: I just read this post with all the correspondence. Can anyone tell me why this conversation is even taking place between Marcus Zwicker and Mr. Concerned? Shouldn’t it be the Nova Scotia Lands & Forests personnel who are answering and being “responsible” for all of this — and then, giving the “yea or nay” to the harvest. Why is it that Zwicker seems to be the person answering questions? This is TOTALLY NUTS!!!!

WWNS: 100% agree. That was the first thing came to mind. Why is industry answering public queries / concerns?

SS: I mailed them, got a response, it basically says they know what they are doing and we should not be concerned. LOL,,, WE ARE CONCERNED and OUR CONCERNS are falling on Deaf ears.

WWNS: Reality is setting in. The Lahey Report was a stall mechanism to allow big industry to keep on cutting at will and now that the findings do not meet with their approval, it has been shelved and it’s business as usual. Government talking heads say time is needed to study the findings but the fact is there are parts in the report that could and should be implemented right now.

PJH: There was a mature white pine stand in a plot slated for clearcutting near my house. From snowshoeing through it we know it was used as a deer yard; there is less snow on the ground under those big trees and we always saw deer trails and beds. We sent that information in our comments…to no avail. The trees are all gone.

MK: I can see where this is going. We just had a another recored moose sighting last week in that area. DNR Wildlife Tech investigated and recorded the encounter. The fall rut has started, so it’s more common to have an encounter this time of year. Tough for them to deny any Marten sightings….a local trapper passed an accidently caught one into dnr.
..i have never recieved a reply from the DNR or “Forestry Maps”. I aso agree….Mr Zwicker shouldnt be replying in the manner he is. Our DNR should be. I dont expect anything from Westfor other then their desire to cut the forests down. It’s their focus…and their nature. I wouldnt expect that to change. They dont care about anything else… Endangered animals is a small part of this. My main concern is the keeping the wintering area intact for the animals that need it…so they suffer the fate of habitat loss…and pershing needlessly.

DGP: I just added a comment about Mr. Zwicker’s reference to ACCDC data to back up his case; clearly he does not understand the limits to the ACCDC data, and he should at that point refer it all to L&F. This is an example of where Lahey’s Recommendation #18 in the Report from the Independent Review should be heeded ( “DNR [now Lands and Forestry] must ensure, as an immediate priority, the the Endangered Species Act is fully implemented on crown land…”)

SH: If I have calculated this right, in four months DNR has approved proposed harvests on Crown land totaling 12936.46 acres equivalent to 9800 football fields. While our government snoozes on a report that they requested and didn’t do anything about the first report.

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