March 26, 1998
(Forest Resources and Agrifoods)

Increase in 1998 Forest Access Roads Program

The Department of Forest Resources and Agrifoods has increased the 1998 Forest Access Roads budget by $500,000 to $2 million. Forest Resources and Agrifoods Minister, Kevin Aylward said today: "These funds will be used to improve access to the province's timber stands and will have a positive impact on the sawmilling industry in Newfoundland and Labrador. The additional funding will also work toward stabilizing the economies of rural Newfoundland and Labrador communities and will contribute significantly to the employment in road construction and the sawmilling sectors in the province."

Forest access roads not only serve to provide better access to stands in the province, in fact, several roads have significant long term benefits. Cabin owners, hunters, anglers and people wishing to gain access to remote areas for recreation all benefit from the construction of these public access roads.

"The expansion of the roads program this year is a further example of the increased focus on rural areas of Newfoundland and Labrador. We must also focus attention on the long term stability of the forest sector in the province," Minister Aylward said, noting that forestry in Newfoundland and Labrador is responsible for 10,000 direct and indirect jobs.

Contact: David Wells, Communications, (709) 729-6183.

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BACKGROUNDER

1998 Forest Access Roads Program

The resource roads construction and maintenance program is a support mechanism for forest management across the province. The program has been in place since the first Forest Subsidiary Agreement (FSA1) was signed in 1974. Under FSA1 the primary objective of the resource roads program was to provide access for harvesting mature and over mature timber stands and for infested forest protection. This program was very successful and encouraged the department to continue with similar programs at a reduced scale. It is now the responsibility of the province to provide capital dollars to this program.

The roads program continues to provide vital support to forestry operations. As the department works toward a sustained yield forest with a balanced age class structure, continued access to many areas will become a necessity. Main roads, initially constructed for harvesting, will later provide access for various silviculture, protection and management programs required to maintain and enhance the second-growth forest.

The introduction of the Forestry Act, 1990, and new Forest Roads Regulations have provided the department with the ability to better control resource road construction in the province. All roads constructed for forestry purposes must be built to minimum standards. Upon abandonment, rights-of way are to be rehabilitated as prescribed by the minister. The department can close roads during times of poor operating conditions, especially during spring break-up, at times of high fire index levels and for any purpose deemed in the best interest of forest management.

By the end of 1997, the department had funded construction of 2,430 kilometres of access roads throughout the province. With the increase of $500,000 to the current funding, the province will improve on its traditional levels of approximately 60 to 70 kilometres of new resource roads annually.