Silviculture Activities Taking Root in Lewisporte

The Provincial Government is continuing its support for silviculture-related activities in the Lewisporte area with close to $235,000 in funding for several reforestation and forest improvement projects in 2009. The funding is being provided through the Provincial Silviculture Program.

�We take our responsibility for ensuring the long-term sustainability of the province�s forest industry very seriously,� said the Honourable Kathy Dunderdale, Minister of Natural Resources and Minister Responsible for the Forestry and Agrifoods Agency. �These projects will enable us to restore and regenerate forest sites and maintain a commercial wood supply for years to come.�

Over one million tree seedlings, with a total value of $130,143, were planted on 421 hectares of land in the Lewisporte area this summer as part of the program. This included the planting of 60 hectares at Brinks Pond, 40 hectares at Little Indian Lake and 321 hectares near Ten Mile Lake. A total of 720,000 black spruce, 75,000 Norway spruce and 257,500 white spruce seedlings were planted. The seedlings were grown at the Provincial Tree Nursery in Wooddale.

�I am thrilled with the amount of silviculture activities for our area again this year,� said Wade Verge, MHA for Lewisporte. �These projects have been ongoing for the past few months and will be a tremendous help in improving the economic viability of our forest resources.�

Site preparation has occurred throughout Forest Management District 8 to assist with the reforestation of recently harvested commercial sites. This work is valued at $46, 225 and provided 16 person-weeks of employment. Planting is expected to begin next summer.

Pre-commercial thinning work, valued at $58,333, is also planned for the area. Work is scheduled to begin later this month and will involve the thinning of approximately 125 hectares to a desired density of 2,500 stems with black spruce being the preferred species. This will employ 10 people and provide 80 person-weeks of employment.

Budget 2009: Building on Our Strong Foundation includes a $10.9 million investment into the Provincial Silviculture Program for silviculture projects throughout the province, a $200,000 increase over last year.

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2009 08 18                                  9:20 a.m.