79. Where substantial destruction has been caused to timber stands in a forest area by natural disasters such as forest fires, windfalls, infestations of insects or cryptogamic diseases, the Minister shall prepare and administer a special forest management plan, notwithstanding sections 25, 27 and 171, for such period and on such conditions as he may determine, to ensure wood salvage.
Every agreement holder who carries out an agreement in the forest area shall comply with the special plan. Upon his failure to comply, the volume of timber allocated in the agreement shall be reduced by the volume he is required to salvage under the special plan.
The Minister may, for the implementation of a special plan, grant to any agreement holder who applies therefor in writing, financial assistance which may be in the form of a credit on the dues payable by the agreement holder under this Act.
This section also applies to ensure wood salvage in a forest area required for a hydroelectric development and designated for that purpose by order of the Government.
1986, c. 108, s. 79; 1988, c. 73, s. 35.