April 2006

Silviculture Update

 
On December 23, 2005, the provincial government presented the forest industry of New Brunswick with an early Christmas gift. Although the primary beneficiaries of the package were the licensees and sub-licensees operating on crown land, private woodlot owners were not overlooked.

As part of the silviculture initiative, the Private Woodlot Silviculture program will be increased by a total of 25%. Mathematically, this is true, but a bit misleading. Currently, the annual, provincial budget for private land silviculture is $7.2 million and is scheduled to go to $9.0 million by 2011, an increase of 25%. However the current $7.2 million budget is a result of the 10% cut that our program experienced in 2004, when it was reduced from its then $8.0 million level. So, beginning this spring, 2006, our budget will be increase back to its pre 2004 level of $8 million and then over the next five years, increase to a total of $9 million.

     Whether you look at it as a 25% or a 12.5% increase, it doesn’t really matter, it’s an increase. Lastly, and equally as important, woodlot owners now have a six-year commitment for silviculture funding. This commitment will bring desperately needed stability to the silviculture sector and will allow woodlot owner groups to build long term plans for their silviculture programs.

SNB’ share of the provincial budget for 2006-07 will be approximately $1.6 million. Although this is a substantial budget, it is only expected that this will provide sufficient funding to allow us to respond to approximately 60% of the 600 requests that we currently have on record as of April 1^st, 2006. All requests are responded to on a first come first served basis. Owners that are interested in participating in the program can contact the office to ask to have their name added to the request list.

The two main areas of funding available to owners under the Private Woodlot Silviculture program are pre-commercial thinning and planting. The planting program can be used for cut-overs (reforestation) and abandoned farm land (aforestation). The planting program also has other supporting activities including preparation of the sites and tending; either chemically or manually.

At the time the summary was being prepared, the rates of the individual activities were being reviewed by DNR and therefore are not yet available.

The rate for pre-commercial thinning during 2005 was $639/hectare.

SNB Wood Co-op Ltd., / SNB FPMB                      Phone: 1-506-433-9860.
P.O. Box 4473                                                            Fax: 1-506-433-3623.
Sussex, New Brunswick,                                           email: snb@nbnet.nb.ca
Canada, E4E 5L6.