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	Many Values...Many Choices

Introduction

Forests cover almost 50% of the land base in Prince Edward Island. Provincial Woodlands, those forested lands owned by the Province, represent 5.7% of the total land base or 12.1% of the forest area. These public forests have many values. They are a significant ecological component of our Island's environment that provides the habitat for forest plants and animals, modifies air quality and microclimate, plays an important role in the water cycle and water quality, and builds soils.

As well, Public Forests play a strong economic role through sales of wood products, production of game birds, mammals and fish, reduction of wind erosion and energy consumption, provision of recreation sites, campgrounds, and day use parks, protection of heritage resources, and contribution to tourism. In addition, forests offer spiritual value to many people and are a reservoir for biodiversity. Public forests could also be an integral education resource. Public Forests have the potential to offer even more through the sustainable development of non-traditional and non-consumptive uses and assisting communities to implement community based projects. It is this potential that led government to create the Public Forest Council.

Purpose of the Council:

The main purpose of the Public Forest Council is to stimulate and foster public discussions on the wealth creation potential of Provincial Woodlands primarily in the areas of non-consumptive and non-traditional uses of the forest resource.

Who Are We?

In November 2001, nine individuals were appointed by Lieutenant Governor in Council, to represent the three counties and two departments which were responsible for managing public lands at that time of the inaugural Public Forest Council. The current Council was appointed in October 2008.

There are six private sector members: As of 2008, these private sector members are: Phillip Pineau of Hunter River, Leonard Gaudet of Souris, Rosalind Cross of Summerside, Tom Rath of Cornwall, Waynette Wood of West Devon and John Rowe (chair) of Montague.

There are also three public sector members. They are: Jon Hutchinson - Public Lands Manager, Gerald MacDougall - Fish and Wildlife Program Manager, and Sid Watts - Market Development Officer. All of the public sector members work with the Department of Agriculture and Forestry. Secretariate services are provided by Ken Mayhew of the Department of Agriculture and Forestry.

Suggestions for Sustainable Forest Wealth Generation:

The most significant task before the Public Forest Council is how to stimulate and foster public discussions on the wealth generation potential of Provincial Woodlands. The Council is interested in hearing peoples' ideas about non-traditional and non-consumptive uses of public forests. These ideas should be community oriented, and must reflect sustainability, economic development, and forest stewardship. If you have suggestions on how this may be done or information you would like to send to the Public Forest Council, you may forward them to the Council by:

 

• By E-mail: Public Forest Council;

 

 

• By writing: the Public Forest Council, c/o P.E.I. Department of Agriculture and Forestry, Forests,Fish and Wildlife Division, P.O. Box 2000, Charlottetown PE C1A 7N8

 

 

• By FAX to the Public Forest Council Secretariat at 902-368-4713; or

 

 

• or by contacting a Public Forest Council Member.

 

Provincial Lands:

The Province of Prince Edward Island owns 52,160 hectares of land in various types of cover from roads to forests. The ownership of this land is held through the Department of Transportation and Public Works which in turn has management agreements with the various departments assigned the management of individual properties.

Of these lands, 1,430 hectares on 617 leases are leased to community groups or private entrepreneurs by the Department of Transportation and Public Works. In addition to these lands, there are 82 properties representing 435 ha are considered surplus (these are assigned to Transportation and Public Works).

Provincial Woodlands:

Approximately 33,280 ha of this provincial land is under some type of forest cover (forest cover includes areas which are regenerating to forest). These Provincial Woodlands represent 5.8% of the province or 12.1% of the forested lands in the province.

As of November 30th, 2001, management responsibility for provincial lands considered by the managing agency to be essential was as follows:

Appointment Process & Terms:

The Council consists of nine members appointed by the Lieutenant Governor in Council including

 

1. six members from the private sector comprising two persons from each county; and

 

 

2. three staff members from the Department of  Agriculture and Forestry

 

The Lieutenant Governor in Council appoints the members of the Public Forest Council and established the Chairperson and Vice-chairperson. Members serve at the pleasure of and for an appointment term established by Lieutenant Governor in Council.

Quorum:

The quorum is five (5) members with at least one from each county and one from the Department of Agriculture and Forestry.

Duties of the Council:

 

1. to stimulate public discussions on the forest wealth creation with respect to Provincial Woodlands, primarily in the areas of non-consumptive and non-traditional uses;

 

 

2. to periodically host a Forest Wealth Creation Symposium;

 

 

3. to consult with community organizations, community development groups, and private sector entrepreneurs with respect to partnering opportunities involving Provincial Woodlands, primarily in the areas of non-consumptive and non-traditional uses;

 

 

4. to solicit proposals from community-based organizations primarily in the areas of non-consumptive and non-traditional uses;

 

 

5. to solicit proposals on community-based forest wealth creation projects and community-based health and wellness projects that require softwood forest resources to enable the projects to proceed;

 

 

6. to evaluate the proposals on non-consumptive and non-traditional uses and make recommendations to the Minister on project priorities;

 

 

7. to evaluate the proposals on community-based forest health and wellness projects and make recommendations to the Minister on which projects should be supported with an allocation of softwood from the Provincial Woodlands within the allocation limit established by the Minister

 

 

8. to review the results of public consultations on Provincial Woodlands land management and provide information to the Minister in this respect;

 

 

9. to evaluate the progress and successes of the Council;

 

 

10. to prepare an annual report for the Minister; and

 

 

11. to carry out any other role or duty that the Minister may determine is consistent with this Act.