Citizens bring forestry concerns to government

Clear cutting refers to the practice when the majority of trees in an area are cut down. One of the attendees noted the practice is banned in some jurisdictions.

Lee said there needed to be major change around this.

“The general feeling of everyone here is there needs to be a moratorium,” he said. Along with that moratorium, Lee said the group would like to see other changes in other areas like taking climate change into consideration when deciding about the issuing of forestry permits. Lee said the issue of clear cutting has become a bigger issue as some members of the group have noticed accelerated activity.

Clear cutting not the only concern

During the meeting, citizens brought up a variety of other concerns. These ranged from the effect of harvesting on caribou populations to enforcement of regulations. Another source of concern for many was what they saw as the provincial government’s failure to get word out about public meetings when feedback is solicited when consultations are held.

Even though government officials were not able to answer all the questions posed, Lee felt the meeting served a purpose.

“I feel that, there were many, many good issues raised,” he said.

Explaining the process of harvesting

A number of officials from the Government of Saskatchewan were present to listen to concerns. One was Chris Brown, the area forester for the Prince Albert Forest Management Area. Brown said when looking at trees to harvest, the industry tries to mimic what is done by fire or wind naturally, which take out large areas of trees.

“That’s one of the things they try to do is emulate that natural disturbance,” he said.

Brown added forest companies are required to leave what are called retention targets in and around a block to help an area regenerate.

This sentiment was echoed by Diane Roddy, general manager for Sakâw Askiy Management, which holds the forest management agreement for the P.A. area. In an email, Roddy said, in part, when cutting down trees, forestry companies leave blocks, islands or individual trees which have no connection to the external block boundary. She said the trees left must be representative of the trees taken. Roddy added the methods used are referred to as modified clear cutting or harvesting with retention.

When it comes to enforcement, Brown oversees a staff of four along with getting help from conservation officers and other staff to make sure companies are complying with their responsibilities. He added they do encourage the public to be vigilant.

“We do rely on tips from the public,” he said.

Calls for more public notice and info

David Rondeau, president of Métis Local 66 in Crutwell had issues with the flow of information in regards to what is going on logging-wise.

“I don’t feel the public was informed,” he said.

Rondeau called the practice of clear cutting archaic and believes what is currently going on will be detrimental when it comes to dealing with climate change.

Rondeau added it was concerns brought to him by members of his Local that led to him coming out Tuesday afternoon.

“That’s the reason I am here, is to voice our opinion and to collect information and go back to my Local,” he said.

Editors note: This story was amended Aug. 29. to correct an error regarding Bryan Lee, he’s president of Fish Lake Métis Local 108 not Fishing Lake Métis.

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MichaelJoel.Hansen@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @mjhskcdn

by Michael Joel-Hansen

Citizens bring forestry concerns to government

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