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ALEXIS CREEK – Four forest workers are removing fire hazards from a right of way and replacing over five kilometres of cattle fencing near Alexis Creek, through $61,908 from the Community Development Trust’s Job Opportunities Program, Forests and Range Minister Pat Bell and Community Development Minister Kevin Krueger announced.
“The Job Opportunities Program is generating employment for Alexis Creek forest workers during this period of global economic uncertainty and improving safety levels for nearby communities,” said Bell. “By clearing all debris within a tree length on each side of the right of way, these forest workers are creating an access route and initial fire break, both of which can be lifesavers when fighting forest fires.”
The project will take place at Avon Creek, north of Alexis Creek, and include the clearing of all dead, beetle-attacked or leaning trees, and the construction of 5.5 kilometres of barbed wire fencing to contain cattle. The tree removal will protect the new fence from falling timber, and provide an access route for maintenance and, if ever needed, firefighters.
“The Community Development Trust is one of our key tools to assist forest workers and their families through these difficult times,” said Krueger. “Not only is the project helping forest workers in Alexis Creek, it is also helping strengthen the local agriculture industry, which is an important part of British Columbia’s economy.”
The work will be conducted by the B.C. Cattlemen’s Association and also include preventing the spread of invasive plants on the right of way.
“We are pleased to
accept this funding from the minister to assist the ranching industry in
addressing fenceline protection in areas impacted by the mountain pine beetle,”
said Bob France, general manager of the BC Cattlemen’s Association.
The $26.25-million Job Opportunities Program is reducing 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. To date, the program has approved $12.4 million to support 73 projects which will employ more than 580 forest workers in communities across the province.
The Job Opportunities Program is one component of the Community Development Trust, which was announced last spring. 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 Contacts: |
Jennifer McLarty Public Affairs Officer Ministry of Forests and Range 250 387-4592 Bob France General Manager BC Cattlemen’s Association 250 573-3611 |
Leanne Ritchie Public Affairs Officer Ministry of Community Development 250 356-0979 |
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For more information on government services or to subscribe to the Province’s news feeds using RSS, visit the Province’s website at www.gov.bc.ca. |
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