Silviculture funding announced for Terra Nova district

Ed Byrne, Minister of Natural Resources, along with Paul Oram, MHA for Terra Nova, today announced $74,000 for two silviculture projects ongoing in the district. The funding is being provided through government�s $7.3 million 2005 Provincial Silviculture Program.

Minister Byrne said: �The responsible management of our forest resource through important silviculture initiatives will ensure the forest ecosystems of our province remain productive into the future. These tree planting and site preparation projects taking place in Terra Nova district are a prime example of government�s commitment to responsible forest management.�

Mr. Oram said: �I am very pleased to see this level of funding announced today. The forestry industry is vitally important to the local economy in my district. Many people in my area depend upon this industry for their livelihood. Silviculture initiatives like this one help to ensure a continued supply of resource for future generations of forest workers.�

One project, which started in early July, involves site preparation work over an area of 170 hectares in the George�s Pond/Pinsent�s Ridge area. Once completed, the area will be brought up to provincial silviculture standards making it ready for the planting of tree seedlings.

The second project, which started in late June, involves the planting of 256,500 black spruce tree seedlings over an area of 95 hectares throughout forest management district 5. The seedlings were produced at the Provincial Tree Nursery at Wooddale.

Both projects are expected to create 36 person weeks of employment and will be completed by the end of July.

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

2005 07 18                       1:50 p.m.