COMMUNITY TRUST IMPROVING RECREATION IN GRAND FORKS

VICTORIA – More than $330,000 from the Community Development Trust’s Job Opportunities Program is improving walking and cycling trails in Grand Forks and contributing to the management of beetle-affected stands in the area, Community Development Minister Blair Lekstrom and Forests and Range Minister Pat Bell announced today.

“The Community Development Trust is one of our key tools to assist forest families and communities through this difficult economic time,” said Lekstrom. “This project will benefit the community of Grand Forks, assist up to 23 forest workers and their families and educate future generations about wildlife.”

The construction of the two-kilometre trail along the Granby River will use the skills of up to 20 forest workers. The three-metre wide, wheelchair-accessible pathway will offer residents self-guided tours that focus on the riparian habitats, soil values, wildflowers, and wildlife they are likely to encounter or observe. The $250,000 project will also allow the city to benefit from tree species identification, natural habitat preservation, sustainable construction and green space management skills.

“The Community Development Trust is helping the residents and the City of Grand Forks access and benefit from the skills of forest workers,” said Bell. “The workers’ knowledge and abilities will result in a riverside path that families will enjoy for years to come.”

“These projects are helping support forest workers and their families in our city,” said Grand Forks Mayor Brian Taylor. “The improved trail will serve as a reminder of their skill and ability and help residents learn more about the forest, animals and plants that live along the Granby.”

The trust is also funding an $82,500 mountain pine beetle ground survey, employing another three workers, to collect data that will help manage beetle-affected areas.

The $26.25-million Job Opportunities Program is helping to reduce the impact of current layoffs on workers employed in the forest industry, retaining skilled forest workers for the anticipated future upturn, and preserving the characteristics of the labour force in forest-dependent communities.

A forest-dependent community or organization and forest licensees or forest contractors working in cooperation with a forest-dependent community, are eligible to submit a project proposal to the Job Opportunities Program. So far, 103 submissions have been received, and 51 projects totalling over $8 million from across the province have been approved.

The Job Opportunities Program is one component of the Community Development Trust, which was announced in May. B.C.’s share of the federal trust is $129 million over three years, with funds also directed to a Tuition Assistance program and Transition Assistance for Older Workers Program.

For more information about the Community Development Trust and Job Opportunities Program, go to: www.cd.gov.bc.ca/cdt/

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Media

Contact:

Leanne Ritchie

Public Affairs Officer

Ministry of Community Development

250 387-4089

Brian Taylor

Mayor of Grand Forks

250 442-8266

Vivian Thomas

Communications Manager

Ministry of Forests and Range

250 387-5728




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