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NLIS 4 May 31, 2004 (Natural Resources) Province and Labrador Metis Nation reach forestry agreement Premier Danny Williams announced today the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador and the Labrador Metis Nation (LMN) have reached an agreement outlining the participation of the LMN in forest ecosystem management planning in Labrador. The two-year agreement formally acknowledges the key role of the LMN in the management and future development of Labrador�s forest resource. The agreement will be retroactive to April 1, 2004, and continue until March 31, 2006. "Our government realizes establishing an effective working relationship with the Labrador Metis Nation will further the advancement of sustainable forest management in Labrador," said Premier Williams. "This agreement supports the development of the forest industry in Labrador and in doing so brings welcome benefits to the residents of Labrador, including the members of the Labrador Metis Nation and the communities in which they live." "This forestry agreement is an opportunity to create management plans to meet the objectives of the LMN. The LMN has a responsibility to its members to ensure that forestry activities will carried out in a sustainable manner which ensures conservation and protects our wildlife, natural environment, culture, and traditions for the benefit of present and future generations," said Todd Russell, President of the Labrador Metis Nation. "We are glad that the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador realizes the value of Labrador Metis people�s involvement and we look forward to doing our part." Government will provide $200,000 in each of the two years of the agreement to assist the LMN achieve its forest management goals and objectives. This financial support will be used by the LMN to hire the professional forestry personnel needed to fulfill the LMN obligations under the forestry agreement. Ed Byrne, Minister of Natural Resources, said local stakeholder involvement is a critical component of today�s forest ecosystem management process. "As part of this agreement, government will conduct a feasibility study into the value-added and secondary forest products industry in Labrador in conjunction with local stakeholders," said Minister Byrne. "This important initiative will help government and the LMN identify the market potential of Labrador-based forest products." The Minister Responsible for Labrador Affairs, Trevor Taylor, feels that this agreement clearly demonstrates that government and the LMN are willing and able to work together to ensure Labrador�s forest resource is developed in an environmentally responsible manner. "The Labrador Metis Nation is an important stakeholder in this matter," said Minister Taylor. "We recognize the LMN�s role and are committed to engaging them in the forest ecosystem management process in Labrador." Media contact:
LABRADOR METIS NATION FORESTRY
AGREEMENT The Labrador Metis Nation (LMN) is an organization of approximately 6,000 members residing primarily in coastal and central Labrador. Three government departments (Natural Resources, Justice and Labrador and Aboriginal Affairs) provided input which assisted in the formation of the Forestry Management Agreement. The forest management planning process in Labrador has been an open consultation process with representation from the Labrador Metis Nation, community councils, zonal boards and development associations. In October 2002, government and the LMN signed a Memorandum of Understanding to facilitate cooperation between the parties with respect to forest management activities in Forest Management Districts 19, 20 and 21.. HIGHLIGHTS OF LMN FORESTRY AGREEMENT This is a two-year agreement. The agreement will be retroactive to April 1, 2004, and continue until March 31, 2006. The agreement will enable the Labrador Metis Nation to provide input into preparing and implementing forest management plans in Forest Management Districts 20 and 21, and to provide input into implementation and amendments to the management plan for Forest Management District 19. Government will provide funding to the LMN in the amount of $200,000 for each year of the agreement. The amount for this year is included in the 2004-05 Budget. The funding will be used by the LMN to hire necessary professional forestry staff and will enable the LMN to fulfill its obligations under the agreement. As part of the agreement government will conduct a feasibility study of the value-added and secondary forest products industry in Labrador in an effort to realize the true potential of Labrador-based forest products. 2004 05 31 2:00 p.m. |
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