Forestry practices to be reviewed by former deputy minister

The government of Nova Scotia has asked William Lahey, aformer deputy minister of environment and the current presidentof the University of King's College, to review forest practices in the province.

Laheywill be paid $30,000 to make recommendations on clear cutting, harvest levels and the future use of 225,000 hectares of the former Bowater Mersey Papermill lands bought by Nova Scotia in 2012. His report is expected in February.

"I have a blank sheet to carry out my analysis," Lahey told reporters Wednesday.

Previous Lahey reports

Natural Resources Minister Margaret Miller would not commit to adopting recommendations in advance.

"We're not going to ask Professor Lahey to do this report and not listen to his recommendations," Miller said.

This is not the first hot potato handed to Lahey by a Nova Scotia government. He co-authored an aquaculture regulatory review for the NDP. That report highlighted widespread discontent with the aquaculture industry.

"He was a good pick,"said environmentalist RaymondPlourdeof the Ecology Action Centre. "I was surprised. He's willing to tell them the tough stuff."

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Controversial practice

Plourde, however, says the government does notneed another review to tell it to reduce clear cutting. The controversial harvest practice will likely dominate the Lahey review.

Last year, the McNeil government abandoned a policy implemented by the NDP to reduceclear cutting by 50 per cent.

The clearcut limit came after extensive public consultations and a recommendation from a previous independent review headed by former Supreme Court Chief Justice Constance Glube and businessman Allan Shaw. Industry objected.

Lahey would not speculate about what he will recommend on clearcuts.

Harvest allocations on Crown land approved

The Liberal government has halted long leases on Crown land where clear cutting will be used.

Millerannounced she will now approve all harvest allocations on Crown land. Shesaid she expects the Lahey review to get to the bottom of claims that Crown land leased to mills has undercut the price that can be obtained for fibre cut on private woodlots.