I find it puzzling to read the strong negative views toward the Bancroft-Crossland Natural Resources Strategy Part II Report in letters of private woodlot owners, and indeed in the lopsided reporting of your own writers.

 I am a born Nova Scotian and always have had a deep appreciation for the woodlands of this province. During the past number of years I have taken part in a Lunenburg County-based ongoing exploration of ways to restore Nova Scotia's forests while retaining economic stability. My particular interest has been the place of private woodlot owners (who control approximately 50 per cent of Nova Scotia's woodland).

 It is my belief that small woodlot owners stand to benefit from many of the incentives included in the recommendations of the Bancroft-Crossland Forest Panel of Expertise.

 Benefits include, among others:

 - Increasing the proportion of silviculture funding allocated to Category 7 treatments.

 - Increasing rates for Category 7 treatments.

 - Removing areas managed as riparian zones from the forest resource tax base.

 - Decreased forest resource tax rates for landowners who practice ecologically based forest management.

 - Financial and logistical support for management plans.

 A power struggle is clearly going on.

 The major companies want to hang on to the status quo because the status quo allows them to impose low prices on woodlot owners, contractors and haulers and gives them immense clout over the management of the forest sustainability regulations.

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 There is no question that the Nova Scotia forest is in very poor shape and that forest policy has to be overhauled. Extensive clearcutting and herbicide spraying over the years is a serious concern. We have seen our Nova Scotia woodlands deteriorating.

 Your letters to the editor do not speak for woodlot owners in general. It is worth noting that the Nova Scotia Woodlot Owners and Operators Association basically supports the Bancroft-Crossland recommendations.

 George Mossman
 Middle LaHave

posted on 09/07/10