Newfoundlanders and Labradorians can now obtain domestic wood cutting permits and access important domestic cutting information online via MyGovNL. This new service is designed to provide a quick and efficient way to obtain a permit from the comfort of home.
Each year the Department of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture issues nearly 30,000 domestic cutting permits, accounting for the harvesting of approximately 500,000 cubic metres or 138,000 cords of wood. The previous process required an individual to complete a new domestic cutting permit application in person at a Forestry and Wildlife District Office.
Users of MyGovNL will find information and tools to help support their domestic woodcutting efforts including detailed maps outlining domestic cutting areas and boundaries. Online users can now pay for permits, review regulations and obtain important safety information. The process also enables permit holders to add and change up to 10 helpers on their permit who can assist with the cutting of wood on behalf of a permit holder.
Domestic wood cutting permits can still be obtained in person at Forestry and Wildlife Offices throughout the province by appointment only, in accordance with current Public Health COVID-19 guidelines.
Since the introduction of a five-year Digital Government Plan in 2018, the Provincial Government has progressively transformed the way services are delivered in Newfoundland and Labrador. Online service options have been useful in complementing traditional services during the COVID-19 pandemic, and increased access to provincial forest resources is in line with the digital government response to the Public Health emergency.
The public are encouraged take advantage of the many Provincial Government services available online by joining MyGovNL. Since March 2020, registration at the MyGovNL portal has grown by approximately 2,000 per cent, to more than 164,000 users.
Quotes
“Enabling individuals to obtain a domestic cutting permit from the comfort of their own homes offers greater convenience for wood cutters and supports government’s commitment to increase public access to our province’s forestry and wildlife resources. The online application process also provides greater efficiencies for forest managers monitoring domestic cutting activity throughout the province.”
Honourable Elvis Loveless
Minister of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture
“Our goal is to use the full potential of technology to make services more convenient and accessible for residents and businesses. Making permits available online is another addition to the growing number of services already available on MyGovNL, our digital government platform.”
Honourable Sarah Stoodley
Minister of Digital Government and Service NL
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Guide to Domestic Wood Cutting
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Media contacts
Craig Renouf
Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture
709-637-2923, 640-6922
craigrenouf@gov.nl.ca
Krista Dalton
Digital Government and Service NL
709-729-4748, 685-6492
kristadalton@gov.nl.ca