Silviculture funding announced for St. Barbe

Ed Byrne, Minister of Natural Resources, and Wallace Young, MHA for St. Barbe, today announced $27,650 for a silviculture project in the district. The funding for this initiative is being provided through the $7.3 million provincial silviculture program.

Minister Byrne said responsible management of the province�s forest resource through meaningful silviculture activity will help ensure the forests remain productive into the future.

"Silviculture initiatives such as this one are a critical component of our province�s reforestation effort," said Minister Byrne. "In addition, such work provides a significant boost to local economies particularly those in rural communities."

Mr. Young added: "Forestry is a renewable resource and a vital aspect of our economy here on the Great Northern Peninsula. Such initiatives will ensure this industry is viable well into the future. I also welcome the much needed job opportunities and other economic benefits this project will bring to the district."

Activity on this project will consist of the planting of 255,000 white spruce seedlings over an area of 170 hectares in the Mount St. Margaret�s area. The tree seedlings were produced at the province�s Wooddale Tree Nursery. The contract for this project was awarded to Three Rivers Silviculture. This project will create approximately 45 person weeks of employment and is expected to be completed in early September.

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

2004 08 24                                       10:10 a.m.