March 22, 1999
(Forest Resources and Agrifoods)

Forest resource roads construction benefits industry and public

The Department of Forest Resources and Agrifoods has committed $2 million to the 1999 Forest Resource Roads budget.

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."

Forest resource 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 resource roads program contributes to economic development in 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 5,000 jobs.

Media contact: Cynthia Layden-Barron, Communications, (709) 729-6183.

BACKGROUNDER
Forest Resource Roads Construction 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 forest protection. This program was very successful and the department was encouraged 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 the new Forest Road 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 department 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 1998, the department had funded construction of over 2,000 kilometers of resource roads throughout the province. With the current funding of $2 million, the province will improve on its traditional levels of approximately 50 to 70 kilometers of new resource roads annually.

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