As part of the 2008 provincial resource roads program, six new access roads will be constructed, two new bridges installed and over 12 kilometres of existing roads reconstructed in Clarenville, North West Brook, Trinity and the Rattle Falls Park area.

"Forest access roads play an important role in the effectiveness of harvesting operations and in ensuring harvesting is done in a sustainable manner," said the Honourable Kathy Dunderdale, Minister of Natural Resources and Minister Responsible for the Forestry and Agrifoods Agency. "Through projects of this nature, we continue to assist harvesters in rural areas of the province access tree stands as part of our forest management plans."

Over $392,000 will be spent on five projects in the Trinity North area. The projects will focus on building and improving White Hills, Beaver Pond, Blue Gull Pond, Ocean Pond-East Bay and George�s Brook resource roads.

"I�m very pleased with the Provincial Government�s focus and support of long-term forest sustainability in our region," said the Honourable Ross Wiseman, MHA for Trinity North. "This new funding will improve access to the resource and help strengthen the economy through our continued support of this industry."

The White Hills resource road project will see the clearing and construction of a new three-kilometre road and the installation of a new wooden bridge. Road upgrades are also planned for various sections of the existing road. This project is valued at over $100,000 and is employing seven people for six weeks.

A second new two-kilometre road will be constructed as part of upgrades to the Beaver Pond resource road, which will also see over nine kilometres of reconstruction. These upgrades are valued at $127,000 and employ four people for six weeks.

Blue Gull Pond West resource road will see the clearing and construction of a new 1.65-kilometre access road, as well as the reconstruction of over three-kilometres of existing road. Half a kilometre of new access road will be added to Ocean Pond resource road. This work is valued at $90,000 and will employ six people over four weeks.

This funding is being made available under the province�s $4.2 million annual forest resource roads program. The Provincial Government continues to support the growth of the forestry industry and is investing a total of $55 million in this sector this year.

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

2008 09 24                                                     2:10 p.m.