Silviculture funding announced for Bay d�Espoir area

Ed Byrne, Minister of Natural Resources, has announced $242,000 in funding for a silviculture initiative in the District of Fortune Bay-Cape LaHune. Funding for the project is being provided through the provincial silviculture program. In Budget 2004, government announced it will invest $7.3 million in the silviculture program this year.

Minister Byrne indicated there will be several silviculture projects taking place throughout the province this summer that will play a vital role in sustaining a future wood supply for the province.

"Through the provincial silviculture program this government is clearly demonstrating its commitment to enhancing the future viability of the province�s forest sector through responsible forest management," said Minister Byrne. "In addition, the provincial silviculture program creates meaningful employment opportunities for many individuals in rural communities throughout Newfoundland and Labrador."

The project will take place in various locations in the general vicinity of Bay d�Espoir covering a total area of approximately 150 hectares. Project activity will consist of pre-commercial thinning, tree seedling planting, tree pruning and stand reclamation. The project is expected to create 311 person weeks of employment and take three months to complete.

Media contact: Carmel Turpin, Communications, (709) 729-5282

2004 06 15                                          9:25 a.m.