Forestry and Agrifoods Agency
Executive Council
April 9, 2015
Achieving Benefits from the Timber Resource
Wood Harvesting Project Continuing to Help Residents in Central Labrador
The Provincial Government is providing easier access to wood that has been cut for the Muskrat Falls Project for domestic use for elders, seniors and other residents of North West River, Sheshatshiu and Happy Valley-Goose Bay.
“The Provincial Government has been making wood from the Muskrat Falls Project available to the public for domestic use since 2013. This initiative will see some of this wood brought directly into these communities so that it is available to people who have difficulty accessing it near the project’s work sites.”
- The Honourable Vaughn Granter, Minister Responsible for the Forestry and Agrifoods Agency.
The Provincial Government is providing $50,000 to make some of this wood available in identified wood lots within or near these Labrador communities.
“Providing access to this resource is important for residents in the Lake Melville area especially our elders, seniors and low-income residents. Many of these individuals rely on wood to offset their home heating costs and do not have the means to harvest this resource themselves so having access to wood from the Muskrat Falls Project will be a great benefit.”
- The Honourable Keith Russell, Minister of Labrador and Aboriginal Affairs
This is a joint initiative of the Forestry and Agrifoods Agency and the Labrador and Aboriginal Affairs Office. In addition, the Labrador Friendship Centre has been helping the Provincial Government in coordinating this initiative.
“The Labrador Friendship Centre is happy to be a part of this project to assist people living in Happy Valley-Goose Bay and we welcome all partnership opportunities with the Provincial Government. We will work closely with the Provincial Government, seniors and low-income residents to ensure that this resource is available to those people who need the wood to heat their homes. It is a great day when we can help people in need.”
- Jennifer Hefler-Elson, Executive Director, Labrador Friendship Centre
Wood is currently being transported to the identified lots. To ensure the safety of the public and workers transporting the wood, the public is asked to refrain from entering the lots until all wood has been transported. The lots are expected to open later this month and further information on timing will be provided at a later date.
QUICK FACTS
- The Provincial Government is providing easier access to wood that has been cut for the Muskrat Falls Project for domestic use for elders, seniors and other residents of North West River, Sheshatshiu and Happy Valley-Goose Bay, who cannot easily access wood that has been made available to the public near the project’s work sites.
- The Provincial Government is providing $50,000 to make some of this wood available in identified wood lots near or within these communities.
- In Happy Valley-Goose Bay, the wood lot is located at the west end of the main dock. In Sheshatshiu, the wood lot is next to the former all-grade school and in North West River, the wood lot is in the ball field.
- Wood is currently being transported to the identified lots. For safety reasons the public is asked to refrain from entering the lots until all wood has been transported. The lots are expected to open later this month and further information on timing will be provided at a later date.
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Media contacts:
|
Roger Scaplen Director of Communications Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture 709-729-3733, 697-5267 rogerscaplen@gov.nl.ca |
Vanessa Colman-Sadd Director of Communications Labrador and Aboriginal Affairs 709-729-1495, 682-6593 vanessacolmansadd@gov.nl.ca |
| Jennifer Hefler-Elson Executive Director Labrador Friendship Centre 709-896-8302 Ext. 222 jhefler-elson@lfchvgb.ca |
2015 04 09 11:40 a.m.