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NLIS 6
June 7, 2005
(Natural Resources)
Minister announces
silviculture projects for Bay d�Espoir and Avalon areas
Ed Byrne, Minister of Natural Resources,
today announced funding in the amount of $350,152 for two
silviculture projects taking place within the province. The funding
for these initiatives is being provided through the Provincial
Silviculture Program.
Minister Byrne said investing in the future of the provincial forest
resource through silviculture is an integral component of
government�s responsible approach to sustainable forest management.
"The long-term sustainability of our province�s forest resource
continues to be a priority for government. The announcement of $7.3
million in Budget 2005 for the Provincial Silviculture Program
clearly demonstrates this commitment," said Minister Byrne. "This
funding will provide for some 23 silviculture projects this year
throughout the province that will support important forest
improvement and reforestation activities."
In addition, Corner Brook Pulp and Paper and Abitibi Consolidated
Inc. will be undertaking 53 projects which are cost-shared through
the Provincial Silviculture Program.
One of the projects announced today is valued at $295,152 and will
take place in the provincial district of Fortune Bay-Cape LaHune, in
the Bay D�Espoir area. It will consist of various silviculture
treatments covering an area of approximately 140 hectares including
planting, pre-commercial thinning, white pine management, tree
pruning and diameter limit thinning. These treatments focus on stand
improvement and stand recovery while maintaining the health and
integrity of the forest ecosystem. The project, expected to create
351 person weeks of employment, started on May 30 and will continue
for 14 weeks.
The second silviculture project, valued at $55,000, is taking place
throughout various locations on the Avalon Peninsula. The project
will consist of the thinning of approximately 60 hectares of new
dense regeneration on a number of past harvesting sites on the
Avalon Peninsula. The project started May 16 and is expected to
create 58 person weeks of employment.
Media contact: Carmel Turpin, Communications, (709) 729-5282,
685-4624
2005 06 07
3:00 p.m.
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