Increased moose licences would threaten industry: outfitters

Newfoundland and Labrador outfitters say an increase in moose-hunting licences would be a major setback for the industry.

Ron Hicks, president of the Newfoundland and Labrador Outfitters Association, said he’s heard rumours that the provincial government may increase the number of moose licences available for the 2011 season by 5,000 permits over its current level of 28,220, a move that would threaten provincial outfitters, he said.
“It takes away our most competitive advantage, that is a high success rate, the highest in the world, actually,” he said, adding that residents’ success rate is about 70 per cent and non-residents’ success rate is 85 per cent. “That’s pretty much what draws the non-resident hunter to Newfoundland. Newfoundland is not the easiest place to get to; it’s costly to get here. It’s cumbersome to get here, and that’s the one drawing card that we do have.”
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New T'Railway crossings coming
Brodie Thomas
The Gulf News

T'Railway users will be able to directly cross more west coast waterways by this fall instead of having to find other ways around damaged and missing trestles.

Some $2 million will be spent this year removing and replacing five T'Railway trestles on the west coast, including Codroy North Branch, Morris Brook, Middle Brook, Robinson's River East and Robinson's River West.

Jamie Warren, president of the Newfoundland T'Railway Council, said replacing the trestles was a part of the group's three-year plan from the start. He said the council worked from east to west, knowing the west coast required some of the most expensive trail upgrades.

Mr. Warren said the $2 million was listed in the provincial budget, although at that time it was unclear what part of the T'Railway the money would be spent on.

He said they have actually purchased between 300 and 400 feet of Bailey bridge, which will be installed over these five crossings among others.

"You don't actually buy a bridge, you buy it by the foot," explained Mr. Warren. He said Bailey bridges are ideal for these crossings because they are built to withstand weather and do not require centre piers on long spans.

The Bailey bridges are over 11 feet wide to allow snowmobile trail groomers passage in the winter. In the summer, posts will be put in place to prevent full-sized vehicles from crossing.

Mr. Warren said dismantling current trestles can be an expensive and complicated proposition because they span ecologically sensitive waterways.

Tenders for removal of the five crossing previously listed, plus the bridge at Bear Cove Brook, are being prepared.

The tender has already closed and the contract will soon be awarded for removal of the Crabbes River Bridge, which collapsed earlier this year. It should be cleaned up by the end of the summer, according to Mr. Warren.

He does not know when the new crossing over Crabbes River will be completed.

"It doesn't make sense to have a major gap in the railway bed for continuity purposes, but the timeline for when that will go back is difficult to say," said Mr. Warren.

He said the T'Railway Council's goal is to have an uninterrupted route across the island.


It's going to be great having those Bailey Bridges spanning those rivers. The Detours now have ATV Riders traveling along the TCH in some places for kilometers. Hopefully someday We'll be able to ride the entire Island without detours. As an ex - Railroader i know the obstacles and how expensive upkeep can be over the long corridor. I also know once in place it can be quite a Tourist attraction and have many more business opportunities for anyone who wants to get involved. I also hope the T'Railway council decides to have a few meetings around the Island to get more people involved in day to day operations of it.

Grand Bruit resettlement vote delayed again

Source:

NATALIE MUSSEAU
The Gulf News

More than a year after the first official request to start resettlement talks was written, residents of Grand Bruit are still waiting to vote on the issue.

Kelvin Parsons, Burgeo-La Poile MHA, said residents are anxious to have the issue progress. The vote on whether to resettle the community was initially scheduled for May but was delayed several times.

Difficulty sorting through which of the 39 property owners identified should be classed as permanent residents of the community has caused the delay.

Mr. Parsons said the Department of Municipal Affairs is expected to make a final decision on the last few cases in question this week.

Only those determined to be permanent residents will be allowed to vote. A decisive majority in favour of resettlement is usually required before government moves the process forward.

The determination of permanent residents is also important when it comes to compensation. Mr. Parsons said during the resettlement of Petites, permanent residents were given $80,000 per couple, plus $10,000 for each child up to a maximum of $100,000. Non-permanent residents were given the appraised value of their dwelling.

Mr. Parsons said the entire resettlement process for Petites was completed in about 18 to 24 months. He said the process for Grand Bruit is going much slower - more than a year has passed and the vote hasn't been taken yet.

nmusseau@gulfnews.ca

The fate of this community was probably sealed when the school closed in 2007.