To the editor,
I am responding to a letter submitted by Natural Resources Minister John MacDonell on concerns from woodlot owners.
Minister MacDonell credits their "upset and concern" to the recommendations in the recent report "A Natural Balance." In fact, their upset and concern is a result of the minister's utterances since the report was issued.
There are literally dozens of recommendations in the report, many which would have a direct impact on 30- housand landowners and how they manage their properties. The minister has given no indication which recommendations will be adopted, except to say there is an overuse of clear-cutting in the province. In effect, he is saying to these 30 thousand Nova Scotians, "trust us."
In this vacuum, woodlot owners are left to read the dozens of recommendations, and fear a strategy, policies, legislation and regulations which will limit their livelihoods.
All Nova Scotians want sustainable, responsible harvesting and management of our forests, whether they are located on crown land or
private land. Included in that group are 30 thousand private woodlot owners, the vast majority of whom take pride in the stewardship of their
and.
Minister MacDonell has ruled out further public consultation on this issue. Rest assured he will be getting input from woodlot owners
whether he asked for it or not. We encourage the minister to engage with these woodlot owners, and spell out exactly which recommendations this government endorses.
That's the fair thing to do.
This is the plan which will impact our forests for the next 75 years. It is important that we get it right.
Leo Glavine
Liberal Natural Resources critic
