Category Archives: NSDNR

Public Accounts provide some numbers on Nova Scotia DNR Grants and Contributions to private industry

Posted on August 15, 2018 by admin

In checking up on some claims on a Facebook page about how many $ the NS Government sinks into one of our Industrial Forestry operations, I was directed to NS Public Accounts as one of the sources for the figures. … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, NSDNR, Pulp & Paper | Comments Off on Public Accounts provide some numbers on Nova Scotia DNR Grants and Contributions to private industry

While we wait for the Independent Review of Forest Practices in Nova Scotia, Port Hawkesbury Paper hires ex-DNR forest bioenergy advocate

Posted on August 15, 2018 by admin

Government (post yesterday) and industrial forestry interests are hardly waiting for the Report from the Independent Review before going ahead with strategic decisions, it seems. The latest: Former top bureaucrat at DNR lands job at Port Hawkesbury Paper (Aaron Beswick … Continue reading →

Posted in Biomass, Forest Certification, NSDNR, Pulp & Paper | Comments Off on While we wait for the Independent Review of Forest Practices in Nova Scotia, Port Hawkesbury Paper hires ex-DNR forest bioenergy advocate

While we wait for the Independent Review of Forest Practices in Nova Scotia, Lands & Forestry on the Hire

Posted on August 14, 2018 by admin

I hesitate to add the latest rumour about when the Report from the Independent Review will materialize, now it looks as though the last rumoured date (sometime this week) is likely to be untrue. In the meantime, NS Lands and … Continue reading →

Posted in Independent Review, NSDNR | Comments Off on While we wait for the Independent Review of Forest Practices in Nova Scotia, Lands & Forestry on the Hire

Premier McNeil cites conflict of interest issue as a reason for change in DNR Minister – will the same reasoning apply to top level DNR bureaucrats?

Posted on July 8, 2018 by admin

Along with the recent cabinet shuffle, the Department of Natural Resources was split into two departments: Energy and Mines, and Lands and Forestry, apparently reflecting the government’s desire “to focus more of its attention on the province’s mining and forestry … Continue reading →

Posted in Independent Review, NSDNR | Comments Off on Premier McNeil cites conflict of interest issue as a reason for change in DNR Minister – will the same reasoning apply to top level DNR bureaucrats?

Nova Scotia cabinet shuffle acknowledges controversies over forestry practices

Posted on July 5, 2018 by admin

A cabinet shuffle was announced today with significant changes in responsibilities for forestry. View N.S. premier shuffles several cabinet positions, creates new mines department. By Michael MacDonald, THE CANADIAN PRESS Published Thursday, July 5, 2018 in Global News. Some extracts: … Continue reading →

Posted in clearcuts, NSDNR | Comments Off on Nova Scotia cabinet shuffle acknowledges controversies over forestry practices

Are cats more destructive to Nova Scotia’s forest birds than clearcutting?

Posted on June 8, 2018 by admin

NSDNR says Yes. The science indicates that there are far more direct kills of birds by cats  year to year than from forestry operations but the indirect effects of extensive clearcutting on short rotations in Nova Scotia are much more damaging in the longer term … Continue reading →

Posted in Acadian Forest, Conservation, Natural History, NSDNR, Show Us the Science | Comments Off on Are cats more destructive to Nova Scotia’s forest birds than clearcutting?

Nova Scotia DNR Biodiversity Council Members Appointed

Posted on June 4, 2018 by admin

Will the council look at habitat loss associated with clearcutting as a major issue? In their 2017 election platform the McNeil Liberals said they would create a Biodiversity Council: …as part of our vision to ensure a healthy environment for … Continue reading →

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Nova Scotia DNR employee apparently clearcut land then sold it to DNR at 2X assessed value

Posted on June 2, 2018 by admin

UPDATE June 5, 2018: More discussion from WWNS added at the end of the post —————————- This well documented, disturbing allegation is made in a May 31, 2018 post How much wood does a clear cutter cut, when a clear … Continue reading →

Posted in clearcuts, NSDNR, Parks & Protected Areas, WestFor | Comments Off on Nova Scotia DNR employee apparently clearcut land then sold it to DNR at 2X assessed value

Nova Scotia DNR, Port Hawkesbury Paper, Premier McNeil: please help us with the math/accounting

Posted on May 29, 2018 by admin

A lengthy back and forth discussion on Woods and Waters Nova Scotia (WWNS) followed a post on WWNS about an article in the Chronicle Herald – Mill’s deal with province raises concern (Aaron Beswick for Chronicle Herald, May 25, 2018). … Continue reading →

Posted in Biomass, clearcuts, Economics, NSDNR | Comments Off on Nova Scotia DNR, Port Hawkesbury Paper, Premier McNeil: please help us with the math/accounting

Nova Scotia math: FOIPOP reveals PHP pays $3.1 million in stumpage fees, gets $4.4 million for silviculture

Posted on May 26, 2018 by admin

Government, industry won’t to release stats on returns from Crown Land harvests; similarly mum on composition of feedstocks for the PHP biomass boiler Bob Bancroft has often said that in Nova Scotia we get next to nothing from Port Hawkesbury … Continue reading →

Posted in Biomass, clearcuts, Economics, NSDNR, Pulp & Paper | Comments Off on Nova Scotia math: FOIPOP reveals PHP pays $3.1 million in stumpage fees, gets $4.4 million for silviculture