The Provincial Government is continuing to prepare the forest industry in central Newfoundland for future activity through site preparation and tree planting under the 2009 Provincial Silviculture Program.

"The forest industry is extremely important to the central Newfoundland region and it is important that government continues to support initiatives that contribute to its sustainability," said the Honourable Kathy Dunderdale, Minister of Natural Resources and Minister Responsible for the Forestry and Agrifoods Agency. "These silviculture activities increase the productivity of our forests for future generations."

The work will see approximately 780,000 seedlings planted on 92 hectares of land in Seal Bay, located south-east of Robert�s Arm, and 220 hectares at West Pond Ridge, near the community of South Brook. Completion of the work this year will depend on weather conditions. All seedlings were grown at the Provincial Tree Nursery at Wooddale.

"The province�s forest industry has sustained the livelihoods of many individuals and their families throughout this region for decades," said Ray Hunter, MHA for Grand Falls-Windsor-Green Bay South. "Reforestation helps to ensure the continued economic viability of this resource for the residents."

In addition to the planting, site preparation in anticipation of future planting has also occurred as part of this work in 12 locations throughout Forest Management District 8. These cutover sites were commercially harvested between 2003 and 2006 and did not regenerate naturally. Fifty hectares were prepared in Grand Falls-Windsor-Green Bay South, while 40 hectares were prepared in the Exploits region. This work provided 16 person-weeks of employment and planting of these sites is expected to happen sometime next summer.

"I am very pleased with government�s efforts to regenerate previously harvested forest sites," said Clayton Forsey, MHA for Exploits. "Many people in this area depend on the forest industry to make a living and site preparation will help create a long-term supply of timber resources and employment."

The total value of the work is $150,000.

Budget 2009: Building on Our Strong Foundation includes a $10.9 million investment in the Provincial Silviculture Program, a $200,000 increase over last year.

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