Government announces $191,664 in silviculture funding

Ed Byrne, Minister of Natural Resources, has announced funding in the amount of $191,664 for a silviculture project taking place across the provincial districts of St. Barbe, Baie Verte and Humber Valley. The funding is being provided through government�s $7.3 million 2005 Provincial Silviculture Program.

Minister Byrne says silviculture activities taking place across the province this summer are playing a vital role in maintaining healthy forest ecosystems while helping to maintain a viable timber supply.

�Investing into the future of our provincial forest resource through silviculture work is an integral component of government�s responsible approach to sustainable forest management,� said Minister Byrne. �Projects such as this one will help maintain forest ecosystems and ensure healthy fibre sources are available into the future.�

Paul Shelley, MHA for the Baie Verte District and Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation, said he is pleased that investment is being made in the protection of forest resources in his district. "This project will provide valuable employment to the residents of my district while ensuring the long-term viability of our forest resources," said Minister Shelley.

Wallace Young, MHA for St. Barbe District, is very pleased to see that Mooney Block has been prioritized for silviculture funding this year. �The forestry industry is very important to the local economy in my district and we must make sure that forest resources are harvested in a responsible manner. Silviculture initiatives such as the one announced today help to ensure the sustainability of our forest resources for future generations,� said Mr. Young.

Humber Valley MHA Kathy Goudie said, �The silviculture initiative announced today will certainly benefit the District of Humber Valley. This project will create employment in the area and will help to enhance the growth of timber. With sound management, our forestry industry will remain viable long into the future. Our government has made a firm commitment to managing and developing our natural resources in a responsible manner and projects like this one certainly reflect that commitment.�

This project will consist of pre-commercial thinning activity over a total area of 275 hectares. This will enhance timber growth by making it available for harvest sooner to support wood supplies. Project activity will take place in the vicinity of Jackson�s Cove, Chain Lakes and Mooney Brook which are located in forest management districts 9, 16 and 17 respectively.

The contract for this project, which commenced in late June, was awarded to Central Forest Developers Limited. The project is expected to create 150 person weeks of employment and will take approximately 10 weeks to complete.

Media contact: Carmel Turpin, Communications, (709) 729-5282, 685-4624

2005 07 15                        12:50 p.m.