Forest Protection

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FOREST PROTECTION

Forest protection is a priority for Corner Brook Pulp and Paper Ltd. The Forest is a valuable resource that ensures a steady, sustainable supply of quality fibre to our mills. Through financial and in-kind support of various agencies we contribute to the development of advanced fire fighting as well as insect and disease control systems. When products are required to protect forests against insect or disease, we favor duly accredited biological means.

FIRE PROTECTION

The Province of Newfoundland and Labrador provides primary forest fire protection on Company timberlands.  Corner Brook Pulp and Paper assists the Province in combating forest fires on Company timberlands.  In accordance with the Forest Fire Regulations under the Forestry Act, Corner Brook Pulp and Paper must locate Fire Suppression Equipment and take the necessary action to prevent and fight forest fires within its operating areas.  Initial administration of fire outbreaks on Company limits will fall directly under the Company District Superintendent until responsibility can be assumed by the Newfoundland Forest Service.  The Company has an Emergency Response Plan in place at each operating area which provides specific emergency procedures for employees in the event of a forest fire.

INSECT AND DISEASE PROTECTION

Over the last 25 to 30 years, nearly all mature softwood stands and many younger stands through the Island of Newfoundland have been significantly impacted by various insect pests.  The major defoliators, spruce budworm and hemlock looper, have had serious and adverse impacts on the forest during the last thirty years.  Protection of the forest from insects and disease is a vital component of overall forest management strategy.

The Newfoundland Forest Service employs an Insect and Disease Protection program which has included a successful large-scale aerial spray program to combat the spruce budworm and hemlock looper in recent years.

A more recent problem has been an infestation of Balsam Fir Sawfly in second-growth managed stands.  After much discussion with Government regarding development and implementation, a control was resently initiated to combat this insect population.

BALSAM FIR SAWFLY

• Small outbreaks in early 1990's

• Expanded to 19,000 hectares in 1996 and  53,000 hectares in 1997 and has remained at that level to the present.

• Most of infested area is second growth stands which have been thinned

• Infestation is expanding into other thinned stands

• Concern over mortality and growth loss

• 10,000 hectares of thinned stands currently affected:   $10,000,000 investment

• Thinned stands vital to future wood supply for mill and Province

• There is no acceptable control agent registered for Balsam Fir Sawfly

• Dylox is a promising chemical insecticide that has been used successfully in New Brunswick against Yellow head Spruce Sawfly

• Dylox was registered for use against the Balsam Fir Sawfly in 1999 as a result of efficacy trails conducted in Newfoundland in 1998.

• Dylox spray program against Balsam Fir Sawfly southwest of Corner Brook was completed during July 1999. Some 1309 ha were treated with Dylox.

• Research program initiated by CFS, NFS, and CBPP investigate insect biology, impact of infestation and control options.

For more information on Forest Protection download section 10 on our FMPOPs page