Changes improve access to wood: government

Recent amendments to provincial forestry regulations are now in effect to make it easier for residents to obtain timber for personal use, the provincial government says.

A news release notes domestic wood cutting continues to be a popular traditional activity in Newfoundland and Labrador.

In 2018, the Department of Fisheries and Land Resources issued 25,000 domestic cutting permits that accounted for the harvesting of approximately 500,000 cubic metres — or 138,000 cords — of wood for personal use.

The Forestry Act has been amended to allow the holder of a domestic cutting permit to list up to 10 individuals as assistants to help in the cutting of timber for personal use.

In addition, cutting of timber regulations have been amended to allow a domestic cutting permit holder to gift wood to another individual.

Previously, the holder of a domestic cutting permit could list only one assistant to cut wood on their behalf, and the gifting of wood was not permitted.

The new regulations will provide more options for individuals with health or mobility issues to obtain wood, particularly older or infirm residents who generally use firewood as a primary source of home heating, the government stated.

Information about new domestic cutting regulations is available at forestry and wildlife district offices throughout the province and on the Department and

Fisheries and Land Resources website at www.faa.gov.nl.ca/.