Silviculture, roadwork funds touted for forestry sector

The province has divvied up $7 million of the $50-million investment promised last month to keep rural Nova Scotians working in the forestry sector in the wake of the closure of the Northern Pulp mill in Pictou County. The government is now encouraging forestry contractors and woodlot owners to apply for additional silviculture and roadwork starting Feb. 14. “We know this is a difficult time for many people across the province,” Lands and Forestry Minister Iain Rankin said in a news release. “Those who work and support the forestry sector want to keep working to support their families and they are looking for action.” The provincial forestry transition team, forestry groups and private landowners provided input into how the funding will be used, the Lands and Forestry Department says. That use will include $3.5 million for the enhanced private woodland silviculture program, delivered by the Association for Sustainable Forestry and split between the western and central regions. The program will be open to private woodland owners with properties between 20 and 20,000 hectares. Eligible applicants include woodlot owners that conduct activities including harvesting, silviculture, maple syrup operations, or Christmas trees operations. Another $2.5 million will be earmarked for Crown land silviculture and roadwork, including $1 million for silviculture practices that produce wood, like commercial thinning or partial harvesting, that aligns with recommendations of the Lahey report on forestry practices, and $1.5 million for Crown road maintenance and upgrades. The funding also provides $1 million through Forest Nova Scotia to deliver the private roads program. Private woodland owners with properties between 20 hectares and 20,000 hectares will be eligible to apply. The funding is in addition to the annual $720,000 for private woodland roads across the province.