Minister announces silviculture funding

Forest Resources and Agrifoods Minister Rick Woodford today announced funding for silviculture initiatives in the districts of Windsor-Springdale and Harbour Main-Whitbourne . The project for Windsor-Springdale is valued at $41,400, while the project in Harbour Main-Whitbourne is valued at $17,850.

N.V.C. Limited was awarded the contract for the Windsor-Springdale project that will consist of thinning dense young timber stands over an area of 60 hectares in the Crescent Pond area. The project is expected to employ approximately 15 people.

The project in Harbour Main-Whitbourne will see the planting of 137,500 seedlings from the Wooddale Provincial Tree Nursery on a recently harvested 50 hectare site in the vicinity of Ryan�s Pond. TerCan Holding Inc. was awarded the contract for the project, which is expected to provide work for about 27 people.

Minister Woodford said silviculture activity, such as the planting of tree seedlings and pre-commercial thinning, plays a key role in helping maintain a healthy and sustainable forest resource. "These initiatives demonstrate government�s commitment to responsible forest management," said Minister Woodford. "In addition, meaningful employment opportunities are also created in many rural communities throughout Newfoundland and Labrador."

Both projects are scheduled to get underway today (June 16). Funding is being provided through government�s provincial silviculture program.

Media contact: Sonia B. Glover, Communications, (709) 729-6183

2003 06 16                                       3:00 p.m.