News release

Wildlife Habitat and Watercourses Protection Regulations

Natural Resources (to July 2018)

NATURAL RESOURCES--Wildlife Habitat and Watercourses Protection Regulations


Natural Resources Minister Ernest Fage announced today cabinet approval of new Wildlife Habitat and Watercourses Protection Regulations, which will come into effect Jan. 14, 2002.

"These regulations will help ensure the sustainability of woodland diversity, water quality and wildlife habitat on all lands in forest production," said Mr. Fage. "Forest harvesting has a major impact on wildlife habitat and the quality of woodland watercourses. These regulations are intended to provide necessary protection when forests are harvested."

The new regulations will make guidelines for forestry operations mandatory on all lands. They provide for the protection of water quality, biodiversity and wildlife habitat. For example, the new regulations will require that harvesters leave at least a 20- metre strip of natural vegetation along watercourses that are 50 centimetres or more wide. Some partial harvesting is allowed inside this special management zone under certain conditions.

To ensure additional habitat is maintained after the harvest, the regulations also require that a specified number of trees left standing in cut areas larger than three hectares. These trees must be in groups that meet size and composition requirements. The clumps are important to wildlife for nesting, shelter, biodiversity preservation and in some cases, food.

Also, harvesters must leave dead trees standing and woody debris on the floor of the area to provide some habitat for wildlife and nutrients for the next forest.

"These regulations were derived from the Forest/Wildlife Guidelines and Standards of 1989 and have now been established as law," said Mr. Fage. "The approval of these regulations fulfills one of our government's commitments and completes another element in the new forest strategy."

The Department of Natural Resources will work with industry and landowners to explain the new requirements in detail and to discuss other ways to maintain or enhance wildlife habitat on their woodlands.

The department's Web site, www.gov.ns.ca/natr/forestry/strategy , offers more information about the regulations. Details of upcoming workshops and field tours are being finalized. Staff at local Department of Natural Resources offices and the Web site will soon have more information on locations and times.