A new interactive map viewer is helping to improve public engagement on planned fibre harvests in Nova Scotia woodlands.

The Harvest Plan Map Viewer provides better access for Nova Scotians to view and comment on harvest plans for all Crown lands.

For each harvest plan on the viewer, the public will be provided 20 days for commenting after the harvest site is first posted. If the planned harvest method is changed to clearcut, that map will be updated and an additional ten days for public commenting will be provided.

“Nova Scotians want and expect an open and transparent process when it comes to the management of Crown lands,” said Natural Resources Minister Lloyd Hines. “This map viewer is part of our commitment to enhance public consultation, which will help to provide that transparency.”

The map viewer will replace the pdf-based harvest operation maps that the Department of Natural Resources launched in 2014. The pdf maps will be archived.

Users are able to send comments or a request for a harvest plan pre-treatment assessment directly to the licensee responsible for harvesting.

New maps and updates will be posted frequently over the coming months, so those interested should check the site often.

The Harvest Plan Map Viewer is available at https://nsgi.novascotia.ca/hpmv/ .

Source: Release