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CRESTON – A community forest agreement sets the foundation for environmentally sustainable, long-term economic benefits for Creston’s residents and businesses, Forests and Range Minister Pat Bell announced today.
“Forestry succeeds when all parties
share in its success,” said
The community forest agreement offers an annual harvest of 15,000 cubic metres over 17,639 hectares of Crown lands north and east of Creston and includes the area around Arrow Creek and its main tributaries. Arrow Creek is a source of Creston’s drinking water and serves local orchards and the Columbia Brewing Company. After the initial five-year probationary term, the agreement can be replaced with a long-term agreement of 25 to 99 years.
“The community forest provides the
corporation with a long-term role in our economy and is the direct result of
the teamwork and dedication of all involved,” said Creston Mayor Joe Snopek.
“It brings extended certainty and security to our water quality, while
continuing to support local mills and contractors.”
The agreement was issued to the
Creston Valley Forest Corporation, which has directors from the Town of
“The Creston Valley Forest Corporation has demonstrated
its expertise in managing Creston's highly sensitive and valuable watersheds
over the last 11 years,” said Jim Smith, director of the Creston Valley Forest
Corporation. “This agreement allows this stewardship to continue for the long
term.”
Community forest agreements are a
form of legal tenure that enable communities to more fully participate in the
stewardship of local Crown forest resources. They are area-based, and give
communities exclusive rights to harvest timber, as well as the opportunity to
manage other forest resources such as botanical products, recreation, wildlife,
water and scenic viewscapes. There are more than 50 community forests operating
or in the planning stages in
-30-
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Contact: |
Sophia Proctor Public Affairs Officer Ministry of Forests and Range 250 387-4592 |
Daniel Gratton General Manager Creston Valley Forest Corporation 250 402-0070
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Joe Snopek Mayor of Creston 250 428-2214 |
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