Explanation: this refers to logging on so-called Crown land. These are areas or parts thereof that are under the management of Canada's Minister of Natural Resources and Renewables and are controlled in accordance with the Crown Lands Act.

The province of Nova Scotia has disclosed the locations where logging may be permitted under the new forestry management model. The maps include areas located in Guysborough, Antigonish, Colchester, Pictou, Lunenburg, Queens, Annapolis, and Kings counties. Other locations are also expected to be identified.

The area where the province may permit logging covers 9,395 hectares. Over time, the provincial government plans to convert 10% of Crown land, or 185,000 hectares, into so-called high-yield forest. In these areas, the use of herbicides will be permitted as part of the high-yield forestry process.

“Moving forward, this will be a major economic benefit for rural areas and our sawmills,” said Minister of Natural Resources Tory Rushton (Tory Rushton). “So it is a step in the right direction.”

The areas prioritised for logging include plots where forests have already been planted, as well as abandoned farmland. Excluded were areas within 100 metres of protected areas, locations inhabited by endangered species, critical wildlife habitats, and rare or sensitive ecosystems.

Before logging and subsequent forest planting, these areas will need to be assessed by licensed loggers to ensure they are suitable for high-yield forestry. License holders must then submit a proposal to the Department of Natural Resources, and the public will be given the opportunity to provide feedback.