Natural Resources
September 9, 2008

A new access road and several road upgrades are being completed in the Baie Verte-Springdale district as part of the 2008 forest resource roads program.

"New and well-maintained resource roads are important to the effectiveness and environmental sustainability of harvesting operations," said the Honourable Kathy Dunderdale, Minister of Natural Resources and Minister Responsible for the Forestry and Agrifoods Agency. "Through projects of this nature, we are providing important infrastructure to our harvesters and ensuring the health of this resource for the continued success of this industry."

These projects are valued at $210,000 and focus on improving Bob�s Head and Seal Bay resource roads.

"I�m pleased to see the Provincial Government�s investment in building and maintaining resource roads," said Kevin Pollard, MHA-elect for Baie Verte-Springdale. "These roads allow critical access for both commercial and domestic timber harvesting operations and are important for the continued health of the industry in this area and the economies of many of our communities."

A new five-kilometre access road is also being constructed off the Bob�s Head resource road. Valued at $164,000, the project is employing six people for 10 weeks to construct five kilometres of resource road and install a multi-plate or open-bottom culvert.

Several upgrades will also take place this summer on the Seal Bay resource road, including ditching and grading and the replacement of the running surface of an 18-metre steel bridge.

The Provincial Government continues to the support the forest industry. Budget 2008 provides $55 million for the sector. The provincial forest resource roads program has an annual budget of $4.2 million.

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