Remnant gypsum karst woodland on the Avon Peninsula, Nova Scotia
Click on image for larger version
Then the downturn in U.S. housing dampened the market and the mine was closed in early 2011. Now even the Keep Out signs are gone from the entrance to the old mine.
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“Government will also appoint an independent expert to review our forestry practices to ensure we strike the right balance for our forests. This review will get underway as soon as possible, starting first in the western region. No future long-term timber harvesting licences will be awarded on crown land until the work is complete”
– From printout of the Budget Address 2017-2018 tabled today (Apr 27, 2017) in the Nova Scotia legislature.
UPDATE MAY 1, 2017: As expected, Premier McNeil dropped the writ on Sunday, April 30, for an election on May 30.
Neal Livingston (Apr 29, 2017) said what a lot of people were thinking: Continue reading
Ovenbird nest with chicks
By Fredlyfish4 – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, Link
The density of ovenbird territories declines as intensity of forest harvesting increases (BBMP2)
View:
– Questions about forestry science forwarded to NSDNR
Post on HFN website Apr 25, 2017
– Impacts of forestry in Nova Scotia on conservation of biodiversity: Concerns and Questions
HFN Conservation Committee document (PDF), Apr 26, 2017
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Western Crown lands, modified from CPAWS map (2012)
“After a day of uncertainty, the Nova Scotia government admitted late Tuesday afternoon it has lost a long-standing exemption from U.S. border taxes on softwood lumber exports from the province, at least for now.” J.D. Irving operating mainly in N.B. was the one Maritime mill singled out for a a much lower countervailing duty of 3%. View CBC News. Irving has one mill in Nova Scotia, which according to a CH report is also subject to only a 3% countervailing duty. Irving also operates mills in Maine.
View also:
U.S. Delays Exclusion Decision on Softwood Lumber Duties
NS Intergovernmental Affairs Press Release Apr 25, 2017
Forestry changes in 2014 made New Brunswick lumber a target in U.S.
CBC Apr 28, 2017
MLA Joachim Stroink (Halifax Chebucto) posted a letter he wrote to Nova Scotia Natural Resources Minister Lloyd Hines:
….I have heard from my constituents about the importance of protecting our forests. They have specific concerns about the sustainability of our forests and what can be done to ensure that our decisions are informed by the best available science. Continue reading
In a CH op-ed today (Apr 22, Earth Day), Dale Smith questions the elevated status of forestry as the default use for Crown land in Nova Scotia. “The role and importance of Crown land as a publicly-owned asset effectively has been lost in the longstanding and contentious debate around forestry policies and practices in Nova Scotia”, he writes. “Crown land, as a public asset, should and must be managed to achieve a wide variety of objectives that collectively serve the common good. In broad strokes, these range from the maintenance of biodiversity and the provision of ecosystem services through outdoor recreation and nature tourism to resource utilization, including commercial forestry.” View OPINION: Crown land usage: Recreation vs. logging
So said Robert Taylor, President of Taylor Lumber Co., in a presentation to the Nova Scotia Legislature Resources Committee today. The theme of the session was sustainable forestry. The other presenter was Jeff Bishop, Executive Director of Forest Nova Scotia.
Taylor Lumber Sawmill. Cutting residue is sent to their chipping plant for further processing or burned to produce electricity at their co-generating plant.(Click on photo to go to source page.)
From the NSDNR news Release (Apr 19, 2017):
A new hands-on guidebook is available that describes how Nova Scotians can help keep the province’s woodlands healthy.
“Three-quarters of our province is forest and preserving that rich biodiversity is a responsibility that we all share,” said [Nova Scotia] Minister of Natural Resources Lloyd Hines. “By teaching people to be good stewards of our environment this guide will help ensure our forests stay healthy for future generations.”
& “U.S. Department of Commerce must now reconsider border duties”.
View CB post Article (April 17, 2017)
Tip of the Hat to Treefrog News for this item.
