Mike Gallant

Some members of P.E.I.’s forestry industry say Fiona caused so much damage to Island woodlots — it may not be possible to recover.  Island forestry consultant Mike Gallant who has 28 years of industry experience estimates 50 per cent of the Island’s softwood stock came down last month. He said that’s put a lot of pressure on those in the industry because if it isn’t harvested quickly enough, a valuable resource will be left to rot. …”We got a small window to harvest these pieces of wood because after two years, it becomes biomass, which is worthless.” …He said the association that represents woodlot owners is in meetings with the provincial government on potential support, but nothing has been firmed up yet. Woodlot owners can apply for the province’s Forestry Enhancement Program which provides funding to owners … to manage their woodlands for forest products, recreation as well as forest restoration.