All the staff here would like to wish you and your families a very Merry Christmas. You’ve played a big part in the success of our business through the recent challenges of Covid-19 and Hurricane Fiona. We thank you and wish you a happy and relaxing holiday season.

May your time be spent taking in all the joys that the holidays bring and the coming year be filled with joy, health, and success! 

On the evening of September 23, Hurricane Fiona intensified into a strong post-tropical storm carrying with it heavy rainfall and winds of up to 148 kph. Many places saw rainfall in excess of 100 mm. By the time it made landfall early on Saturday morning, there were thousands without power leaving more Nova Scotians without power than with.  Impacts were felt across Nova Scotia, however, the effects were greatest across Cape Breton and the eastern mainland. 

Nova Scotia forests were heavily damaged leaving a mess of fallen trees regardless of any past management. On PHP’s crown license area, the heaviest damage is in Guysborough, Antigonish and Pictou counties, as well as significant damage in eastern Cape Breton county. During the last several weeks, the NS Department of Natural Resources & Renewables completed aerial surveys to assess the level of damage to forests across Nova Scotia. For PHP’s Crown license area, Woodlands district staff went along to see how the forest management area was affected and the need for salvage operations, particularly for treatments recently completed where varying levels of retention were left on site. The Department of Natural Resources & Renewables has developed a salvage plan to try and harvest as much high-quality fibre while still leaving wildlife clumps, permanent reserve trees, treetops, and other areas of retention for nutrient and biodiversity needs. Areas for salvage are currently being submitted to the Department for approval so operations can hopefully begin early in 2023. For PHP, getting as much fresh fibre to the mill safely, efficiently, and economically feasible is critical for the next 10 months since anything beyond that can start to affect the quality of the wood that is needed for the mill.

Impact of Fiona on variable retention harvests completed last year in District 2 West

Impact of Fiona on a recent variable retention harvest completed in western Antigonish County

Impact of Fiona to a shelterwood harvest completed in Pictou County

In October, SAI Global auditors were on-site to complete an annual surveillance and re-registration audit of PHP’s certification to the Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®) and Sustainable Forestry Initiative® (SFI®) standards for forest management.

Audit results are based on a sampling of procedures, records, field observations, and interviews with staff, contractors, forest workers, and stakeholders. Areas of recognition included good support and engagement process with First Nations, cutting edge range of natural variation analysis, protection of bird and lichen habitats, advance training and recording tools for various species at risk, and good relations with government officials and stakeholders. Areas of improvement included broadening job-specific training for staff, contractors, and forest workers, updating operational monitoring forms, identifying management activities that may cause an increase in natural hazards, and operational compliance related to portable fuel tanks, lock-out procedures, and personal protective equipment.

This year marks 15 years since the company has been FSC certified and nine years for SFI. The success of these certifications couldn’t happen without our committed Woodlands staff, contractors, and forest workers. Their commitment and dedication to what we do each day is always appreciated.

On-site audit visit to a recently installed bridge and culvert crossing in the Cape Breton Highlands.

PHP has maintained a Forest Advisory Committee since 2000 to provide an ongoing and interactive opportunity for meaningful public participation in forest management decisions for PHP’s Crown license area. The Committee includes representatives from a variety of public interest groups and sectors including youth, woodlot owner, contractor, small industry, tourism, recreation, Aboriginal, community development, small business, academia, government, environmental, community, and forest education. PHP is currently looking for representation in the sectors of woodlot owner, small industry, Aboriginal, Mainland municipal council, and natural resource student.  

If you or someone you know would like to join the committee or learn more, please contact Andrea at andrea.doucette@porthawkesburypaper.com.