Richard Beazley's Brilliant summary of the ongoing saga of Nova Scotia's Department of Natural Resources "Natural Resource Strategy".
Written by Richard Beazley - April 2017
In this document I summarize the history of the Nova Scotia Natural Resources Strategy (NRS), details of which are contained in several lengthy supporting documents. I include the three development phases (2009-2011), the first five years of the NRS's implementation (2011-2016), and, at the end, a Chronology of Supporting Documents and Authors.
As a member of the Healthy Forest Coalition (HFC), I wrote this summary mainly to help newcomers understand the recent past and ongoing controversial debates about forestry in Nova Scotia. The summary is not meant to be definitive, but, nevertheless, provides snapshots of the development of a forest policy framework and harvesting practices that are of concern to HFC members and many, many Nova Scotians. Admittedly, I focused almost exclusively on the Forest sections of the supporting documents and paid scant attention to other sections.
Phase One (2009)
To begin with, Nova Scotia Voluntary Planning consultations, on behalf of the Government of Nova Scotia, were conducted to inform the development of the Natural Resources Strategy. The consultations engaged thousands of Nova Scotians who made it clear that the status quo was unacceptable and that change in forest management must happen soon. Although some considered clearcutting and herbicide use to be sound forest management tools, there was general consensus that clearcutting, whole-tree harvesting, and herbicide spraying should be dramatically reduced and closely regulated.
In the Executive Summary of the Phase One Report, the author concluded that the current approach to natural resource management "cannot sustain the biodiversity of our natural environment, enhance the economy, or preserve the rural lifestyle so valued by the citizens of this province" and said that "Nova Scotians made it clear that change must happen . . . and happen soon.”
Phase Two (2010)
A Steering Panel was formed to guide the second phase. It was to be advised by three forestry experts charged with producing a set of recommendations to inform the development of the new strategy. The forestry experts split over divergent, non-reconcilable beliefs resulting in the Panel of Expertise Chair and wildlife biologist Bob Bancroft and forest ecologist Donna Crossland writing one report and Jonathan Porter, a senior forestry executive with Bowater-Mersey, writing a second one.
The Bancroft/Crossland report, Restoring the Health of Nova Scotia's Forests, concluded that Nova Scotia had already surpassed the threshold of ecologically sustainable forest harvesting and was now faced with resolving major restoration issues to sustain viable populations of many forest species. They recommended significant reductions in, or bans of, ecologically-damaging practices like clearcutting, whole-tree harvesting, herbicide spraying, and biomass energy production.
In their part of the Research Addendum on clearcutting and biomass, they defined clearcutting as a stand in which essentially all trees have been removed in one operation, and recommended it be limited to permit-based use under strict regulations. They also expressed serious concerns about biomass energy production in presenting their vision for ecosystem-based forestry.
Jonathan Porter in his report, Roots of Sustainable Prosperity in Nova Scotia, recommended that the government (a) not bring in new regulations on forest harvesting practices and instead support a range of management practices, including clearcutting and herbicide application, and (b) complete biomass guidelines under the Code of Forest Practices.
In his part of the Research Addendum, Porter offered the same definition of clearcutting as did Bancroft and Crossland, and stated that clearcutting is an appropriate harvest method that should continue to be used. He reviewed biomass use and concluded that a blanket approach either supporting or prohibiting forest biomass removal on all sites would not be appropriate. That is, Porter presented the industrial forestry perspective on the strategy and focused primarily on the economic aspects of forest management.
These conflicting reports were acknowledged in the Phase Two Steering Panel Report. Authors Constance Glube, Joe Marshall, and Alan Shaw concluded that “the status quo is not an option. Unless there is change, Nova Scotia's natural resources will continue to be destroyed." The authors sided with the recommendations in the Bancroft/Crossland report, stating that clearcuts be allowed by permit only; whole tree harvesting be stopped, except on Christmas tree farms; and great caution be exercised in the use of biomass for power generation.
In December 2010, the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), under the leadership of Minister John MacDonell, released A Policy Framework for the Future of Nova Scotia’s Forestry. It contained a set of strategic directions that would provide the basis for future forestry policy, and made commitments to
(a) reduce the proportion of wood harvested by the clearcut method to no more than 50% of all forested lands over a five-year period,
(b) prohibit the removal of whole trees from the forest site in order to maintain woody debris at these sites,
(c) cease directing public funds to herbicide spraying for forestry, and
(d) undertake an analysis of options regarding a province-wide annual allowable cut in order to limit total harvested amounts.
A month after the release of the framework, NDP Premier Darrell Dexter moved Minister MacDonell out of DNR, replacing him with Minister Charlie Parker. This suggested that MacDonell’s approach was to be watered down and delayed.
The Phase 2 Panel of Expertise recommended that "Nova Scotia needs a Biodiversity Act and other regulatory and stewardship tools."
Phase Three (2011)
The Natural Resources Strategy report, The Path We Share, was released in August 2011. It contained an Action Plan, a list of 32 commitments to be phased in over a five-year period, that included the following:
(a) reduce clearcutting to no more than 50 percent of all harvests,
(b) establish rules for whole-tree harvesting,
(c) discontinue public funding for herbicide use,
(d) regulate and cap the use of biomass for energy production,
(e) implement ecosystem-based forestry, and
(f) evaluate an annual allowable cut to ensure forest sustainability and productivity.
In the biodiversity section for good governance actions, the government committed to "implement new laws and update existing laws to support biodiversity."
Implementation Progress - Broken Commitments (2011-2016)
In the 12 Month Progress Report released in 2012, DNR promised fundamental changes to forest management, reiterating the intention to reduce clearcutting to 50 percent of all harvests, but also established an operational definition of a clearcut as a forest harvest where less than 60 percent of the area is sufficiently occupied with trees taller than 1.3 meters. This definition effectively allows a lot of what is functionally a clearcut not to be counted as a clearcut. Also, announced was the discontinuance of public funding for herbicide use and the implementation of an ecosystem approach to forest management.
In 2013 the New Democratic Party Government led by Darrell Dexter was defeated and the Liberal Party Government led by Stephen McNeil was elected. In 2014 Jonathan Porter was hired as the Executive Director of the Renewable Resources Branch of DNR.
In August 2016, DNR released its Five-Year Progress Report. Regarding the forest harvesting practices of concern to HFC members and many, many Nova Scotians, progress toward previously stated commitments was minimal to abandonment. Here's what was reported:
(a) DNR is moving away from a system that determines the amount of clearcutting based on a percentage of harvested land and, instead, contends that "all harvest treatments are aligned with nature-based requirements of Nova Scotia's lands,"
(b) DNR will continue to assess the effectiveness of various forestry practices, including herbicide use,
(c) DNR amended the Renewable Electricity Regulations to allow for more flexibility in managing the electricity system and to reduce the use of primary forest biomass for generating electricity,
(d) DNR will establish the rules for whole-tree harvesting, and incorporate this into the Code of Forest Practice, and
(e) DNR has no plans to implement a province-wide annual allowable cut.
In its Government Kills Key Forestry Commitments document, the Ecology Action Centre's frank assessment of the Five-Year Progress Report was as follows: DNR is developing a new Crown Land Forest Resource Management Policy that abandons the 2011 clearcutting reduction policy, allows continued whole-tree harvesting, abandons plans to implement a provincial annual allowable cut, may reinstate public funding for herbicide application, and once again permits herbicide spraying on Crown lands.
For readers interested in another version of this short history, read Linda Pannozzo's Forest Tragedy, which was published on September 13, 2016.
Currently, members of the Healthy Forest Coalition and many, many Nova Scotians do not believe DNR's claim that clearcutting is aligned with science-based forest management. Clearcutting is not compatible with or supported by the latest scientific research on the carbon cycle and climate change. Nor is it compatible with forest restoration science, soil nutrient depletion science, and soil erosion science; the maintenance of biodiversity; wildlife ecology; and watershed acidification and healthy salmonid population research.
Chronology of Documents and Authors Through all Four Phases
Phase One
Click on the embedded links for more information.
March 2009, Our Common Ground: The Future of Nova Scotia's Natural Resources, Ron Smith, FCA Chair, Nova Scotia Voluntary Planning Board of Directors.
Phase Two
February 2010, Forest Panel of Expertise Report 1: Restoring the Health on Nova Scotia's Forests, Bob Bancroft, a retired wildlife biologist, and Donna Crossland, a Parks Canada forest ecologist.
February 2010, Forest Panel of Expertise Report 2: The Roots of Sustainable Prosperity in Nova Scotia, Jonathan Porter, a senior forestry executive with Bowater-Mersey Paper Company.
April 2010, Research Addendum, Phase 2, A Natural Balance: Working Toward Nova Scotia's Natural Resources Strategy, Bob Bancroft, Donna Crossland, and Jonathan Porter.
April 2010, A Natural Balance, Working Toward Nova Scotia's Natural Resources Strategy, (Nova Scotia Voluntary Planning), Constance R. Glube, Retired Chief Justice of Nova Scotia; Joe Marshall, Executive Director, Union of Nova Scotia Indians; and Alan Shaw, Chair, The Shaw Group.
December 2010, A Policy Framework for the Future of Nova Scotia’s Forestry, Department of Natural Resources, Government of Nova Scotia.
Phase Three
August 2011, The Path We Share, A Natural Resources Strategy for Nova Scotia 2011-2020, Department of Natural Resources, Government of Nova Scotia.
2011, From Strategy to Action, An Action Plan for The Path We Share, Department of Natural Resources, Government of Nova Scotia.
Implementation Progress - Broken Commitments
2012, The Path We Share, A Natural Resources Strategy for Nova Scotia, 12 Month Progress Report, Department of Natural Resources, Government of Nova Scotia.
August 2016, Natural Resources Strategy, Five-Year Progress Report, Department of Natural Resources, Government of Nova Scotia.
August 2016, Natural Resources Strategy Timeline and Government Kills Key Forestry Commitments, Ecology Action Centre reaction to DNR's Five-Year Progress Report.
Written by Richard Beazley - April 2017
In this document I summarize the history of the Nova Scotia Natural Resources Strategy (NRS), details of which are contained in several lengthy supporting documents. I include the three development phases (2009-2011), the first five years of the NRS's implementation (2011-2016), and, at the end, a Chronology of Supporting Documents and Authors.
As a member of the Healthy Forest Coalition (HFC), I wrote this summary mainly to help newcomers understand the recent past and ongoing controversial debates about forestry in Nova Scotia. The summary is not meant to be definitive, but, nevertheless, provides snapshots of the development of a forest policy framework and harvesting practices that are of concern to HFC members and many, many Nova Scotians. Admittedly, I focused almost exclusively on the Forest sections of the supporting documents and paid scant attention to other sections.
Phase One (2009)
To begin with, Nova Scotia Voluntary Planning consultations, on behalf of the Government of Nova Scotia, were conducted to inform the development of the Natural Resources Strategy. The consultations engaged thousands of Nova Scotians who made it clear that the status quo was unacceptable and that change in forest management must happen soon. Although some considered clearcutting and herbicide use to be sound forest management tools, there was general consensus that clearcutting, whole-tree harvesting, and herbicide spraying should be dramatically reduced and closely regulated.
In the Executive Summary of the Phase One Report, the author concluded that the current approach to natural resource management "cannot sustain the biodiversity of our natural environment, enhance the economy, or preserve the rural lifestyle so valued by the citizens of this province" and said that "Nova Scotians made it clear that change must happen . . . and happen soon.”
Phase Two (2010)
A Steering Panel was formed to guide the second phase. It was to be advised by three forestry experts charged with producing a set of recommendations to inform the development of the new strategy. The forestry experts split over divergent, non-reconcilable beliefs resulting in the Panel of Expertise Chair and wildlife biologist Bob Bancroft and forest ecologist Donna Crossland writing one report and Jonathan Porter, a senior forestry executive with Bowater-Mersey, writing a second one.
The Bancroft/Crossland report, Restoring the Health of Nova Scotia's Forests, concluded that Nova Scotia had already surpassed the threshold of ecologically sustainable forest harvesting and was now faced with resolving major restoration issues to sustain viable populations of many forest species. They recommended significant reductions in, or bans of, ecologically-damaging practices like clearcutting, whole-tree harvesting, herbicide spraying, and biomass energy production.
In their part of the Research Addendum on clearcutting and biomass, they defined clearcutting as a stand in which essentially all trees have been removed in one operation, and recommended it be limited to permit-based use under strict regulations. They also expressed serious concerns about biomass energy production in presenting their vision for ecosystem-based forestry.
Jonathan Porter in his report, Roots of Sustainable Prosperity in Nova Scotia, recommended that the government (a) not bring in new regulations on forest harvesting practices and instead support a range of management practices, including clearcutting and herbicide application, and (b) complete biomass guidelines under the Code of Forest Practices.
In his part of the Research Addendum, Porter offered the same definition of clearcutting as did Bancroft and Crossland, and stated that clearcutting is an appropriate harvest method that should continue to be used. He reviewed biomass use and concluded that a blanket approach either supporting or prohibiting forest biomass removal on all sites would not be appropriate. That is, Porter presented the industrial forestry perspective on the strategy and focused primarily on the economic aspects of forest management.
These conflicting reports were acknowledged in the Phase Two Steering Panel Report. Authors Constance Glube, Joe Marshall, and Alan Shaw concluded that “the status quo is not an option. Unless there is change, Nova Scotia's natural resources will continue to be destroyed." The authors sided with the recommendations in the Bancroft/Crossland report, stating that clearcuts be allowed by permit only; whole tree harvesting be stopped, except on Christmas tree farms; and great caution be exercised in the use of biomass for power generation.
In December 2010, the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), under the leadership of Minister John MacDonell, released A Policy Framework for the Future of Nova Scotia’s Forestry. It contained a set of strategic directions that would provide the basis for future forestry policy, and made commitments to
(a) reduce the proportion of wood harvested by the clearcut method to no more than 50% of all forested lands over a five-year period,
(b) prohibit the removal of whole trees from the forest site in order to maintain woody debris at these sites,
(c) cease directing public funds to herbicide spraying for forestry, and
(d) undertake an analysis of options regarding a province-wide annual allowable cut in order to limit total harvested amounts.
A month after the release of the framework, NDP Premier Darrell Dexter moved Minister MacDonell out of DNR, replacing him with Minister Charlie Parker. This suggested that MacDonell’s approach was to be watered down and delayed.
The Phase 2 Panel of Expertise recommended that "Nova Scotia needs a Biodiversity Act and other regulatory and stewardship tools."
Phase Three (2011)
The Natural Resources Strategy report, The Path We Share, was released in August 2011. It contained an Action Plan, a list of 32 commitments to be phased in over a five-year period, that included the following:
(a) reduce clearcutting to no more than 50 percent of all harvests,
(b) establish rules for whole-tree harvesting,
(c) discontinue public funding for herbicide use,
(d) regulate and cap the use of biomass for energy production,
(e) implement ecosystem-based forestry, and
(f) evaluate an annual allowable cut to ensure forest sustainability and productivity.
In the biodiversity section for good governance actions, the government committed to "implement new laws and update existing laws to support biodiversity."
Implementation Progress - Broken Commitments (2011-2016)
In the 12 Month Progress Report released in 2012, DNR promised fundamental changes to forest management, reiterating the intention to reduce clearcutting to 50 percent of all harvests, but also established an operational definition of a clearcut as a forest harvest where less than 60 percent of the area is sufficiently occupied with trees taller than 1.3 meters. This definition effectively allows a lot of what is functionally a clearcut not to be counted as a clearcut. Also, announced was the discontinuance of public funding for herbicide use and the implementation of an ecosystem approach to forest management.
In 2013 the New Democratic Party Government led by Darrell Dexter was defeated and the Liberal Party Government led by Stephen McNeil was elected. In 2014 Jonathan Porter was hired as the Executive Director of the Renewable Resources Branch of DNR.
In August 2016, DNR released its Five-Year Progress Report. Regarding the forest harvesting practices of concern to HFC members and many, many Nova Scotians, progress toward previously stated commitments was minimal to abandonment. Here's what was reported:
(a) DNR is moving away from a system that determines the amount of clearcutting based on a percentage of harvested land and, instead, contends that "all harvest treatments are aligned with nature-based requirements of Nova Scotia's lands,"
(b) DNR will continue to assess the effectiveness of various forestry practices, including herbicide use,
(c) DNR amended the Renewable Electricity Regulations to allow for more flexibility in managing the electricity system and to reduce the use of primary forest biomass for generating electricity,
(d) DNR will establish the rules for whole-tree harvesting, and incorporate this into the Code of Forest Practice, and
(e) DNR has no plans to implement a province-wide annual allowable cut.
- No new laws protecting biodiversity were introduced or implemented by the government.
In its Government Kills Key Forestry Commitments document, the Ecology Action Centre's frank assessment of the Five-Year Progress Report was as follows: DNR is developing a new Crown Land Forest Resource Management Policy that abandons the 2011 clearcutting reduction policy, allows continued whole-tree harvesting, abandons plans to implement a provincial annual allowable cut, may reinstate public funding for herbicide application, and once again permits herbicide spraying on Crown lands.
For readers interested in another version of this short history, read Linda Pannozzo's Forest Tragedy, which was published on September 13, 2016.
Currently, members of the Healthy Forest Coalition and many, many Nova Scotians do not believe DNR's claim that clearcutting is aligned with science-based forest management. Clearcutting is not compatible with or supported by the latest scientific research on the carbon cycle and climate change. Nor is it compatible with forest restoration science, soil nutrient depletion science, and soil erosion science; the maintenance of biodiversity; wildlife ecology; and watershed acidification and healthy salmonid population research.
Chronology of Documents and Authors Through all Four Phases
Phase One
Click on the embedded links for more information.
March 2009, Our Common Ground: The Future of Nova Scotia's Natural Resources, Ron Smith, FCA Chair, Nova Scotia Voluntary Planning Board of Directors.
Phase Two
February 2010, Forest Panel of Expertise Report 1: Restoring the Health on Nova Scotia's Forests, Bob Bancroft, a retired wildlife biologist, and Donna Crossland, a Parks Canada forest ecologist.
February 2010, Forest Panel of Expertise Report 2: The Roots of Sustainable Prosperity in Nova Scotia, Jonathan Porter, a senior forestry executive with Bowater-Mersey Paper Company.
April 2010, Research Addendum, Phase 2, A Natural Balance: Working Toward Nova Scotia's Natural Resources Strategy, Bob Bancroft, Donna Crossland, and Jonathan Porter.
April 2010, A Natural Balance, Working Toward Nova Scotia's Natural Resources Strategy, (Nova Scotia Voluntary Planning), Constance R. Glube, Retired Chief Justice of Nova Scotia; Joe Marshall, Executive Director, Union of Nova Scotia Indians; and Alan Shaw, Chair, The Shaw Group.
December 2010, A Policy Framework for the Future of Nova Scotia’s Forestry, Department of Natural Resources, Government of Nova Scotia.
Phase Three
August 2011, The Path We Share, A Natural Resources Strategy for Nova Scotia 2011-2020, Department of Natural Resources, Government of Nova Scotia.
2011, From Strategy to Action, An Action Plan for The Path We Share, Department of Natural Resources, Government of Nova Scotia.
Implementation Progress - Broken Commitments
2012, The Path We Share, A Natural Resources Strategy for Nova Scotia, 12 Month Progress Report, Department of Natural Resources, Government of Nova Scotia.
August 2016, Natural Resources Strategy, Five-Year Progress Report, Department of Natural Resources, Government of Nova Scotia.
August 2016, Natural Resources Strategy Timeline and Government Kills Key Forestry Commitments, Ecology Action Centre reaction to DNR's Five-Year Progress Report.