Over 12 kilometres of upgrades and new construction are planned for Humber Valley as part of the 2008 forest resource roads program.  This annual capital program provides greater access to the forest resource for commercial and domestic purposes.

"The resource roads program provides a valuable service to commercial and domestic harvesters," said the Honourable Kathy Dunderdale, Minister of Natural Resources and Minister Responsible for the Forestry and Agrifoods Agency.  "These roads allow access to aging and over-mature timber.  It is part of our sustainable forest management approach to harvest these stands to ensure the healthy growth and regeneration of our forest resource for the benefit of future generations."

The Provincial Government is investing $320,000 this year to build three new forest roads, remove and replace five bridges and reconstruct seven kilometres of existing road.  This funding is being made available under the province�s annual $4.2-million forest resource roads program.

"I am pleased with the significant investment being made to help maintain and improve our forest access roads," said Darryl Kelly, MHA for Humber Valley.  "These roads serve to provide better access to timber stands in our area, but they also give the public greater access to remote areas for hunting and recreation.  While forest resource roads are primarily constructed for forest management activities, these roads are regularly used by the public."

The upgrading of seven kilometres of road on the Clam Pond access road will repair damage from weather and wear. The project includes the removal and replacement of five wooden bridges on this resource road.  Two new access routes off this resource road � a total of three kilometres � will also be constructed.

The Saltwater Pond resource road will also see the clearing and construction of two new kilometres of access road.

The Provincial Government continues to invest in the forest industry in this province, with Budget 2008 providing $55 million for this important sector.  This includes the $14 million announced in April for diversification initiatives to provide stability and grow the industry.

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Media contact:
Tracy Barron
Director of Communications
Department of Natural Resources
709-729-5282, 690-8241
tracybarron@gov.nl.ca