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NEWS RELEASE
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For Immediate Release November 20, 2009 |
Ministry of Forests and Range
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LONG-TERM COMMUNITY FOREST SUPPORTS KTUNAXA SUCCESS
VICTORIA – A 25-year community forest agreement issued to the Ktunaxa Nation replaces a five-year pilot agreement and supports continued success in job creation, local manufacturing and silviculture treatments, announced Kootenay East MLA Bill Bennett on behalf of Minister of Forests and Range Pat Bell.
“The Ktunaxa have shown leadership by expanding services and building relationships with local mills and companies, and the new 25-year agreement supports continued growth,” said Bell. “The community forest has led to training and expertise in silviculture, forest health, planning and operations, and showcases how these tenures support sustainable economic development and community growth.”
“Forestry is an important part of the Kootenay economy and the community forest will continue to support people, families and business in the area,” said Bennett. “The Ktunaxa have been very successful in creating and expanding forestry and land management operations to this point, and the long-term community forest will lead to new opportunities and even greater results.”
The Ktunaxa have operated a community forest since 2004, harvesting more than 131,000 cubic metres of mostly mountain pine beetle timber since then. In addition to hiring local forestry contractors and supplying mills, the community forest has created more than 3,300 days of employment, trained junior employees and served as a foundation for the Ktunaxa’s development corporation. Silviculture treatments including planting, brushing and surveys on about 530 hectares have also occurred.
“This long term community forest agreement realizes an interest in managing the lands and resources of the Dominion Coal Blocks dating back to 1995,” said Kathryn Teneese, chair of Ktunaxa Nation Council. “The 25-year term will provide an opportunity for the Ktunaxa Nation to continue to work towards its vision including stewardship of the Traditional Territory, strengthening communities, enhancing capacity and promoting economic self sufficiency.”
The community forest covers a total area of 20,000 hectares on two parcels of land in the Elk Valley, near Fernie. The 25-year agreement grants the Ktunaxa the right to harvest up to 5,790 cubic metres of timber per year from the area, also known as the Dominion Coal Blocks.
The community forest will be managed by Nupqu Development Corporation, which is owned by the Ktunaxa Nation and has provided services and expertise in forestry and resource management while operating as the Ktunaxa Kinbasket Development Corporation for over 12 years. The corporation has about 60 employees during peak season and has received Safe Certification from the B.C. Forest Safety Council. Nupqu is the Ktunaxa word for black bear.
“The Ktunaxa Nation Community Forest has been critical to the growth of our Development Corporation into the successful and diverse business it has become,” said Bob Luke, a Nupqu Development Corporation board director. “In addition to the generation of wealth and employment it has also allowed the Ktunaxa Nation to assume greater certainty and control over the management of natural resources in the Traditional Territory.”
“The Ktunaxa Nation has shown strong leadership in the development of community forestry in B.C., and provide a great example of how a community forest can benefit First Nations in our province,” said Jennifer Gunter, executive director, British Columbia Community Forest Association. “We congratulate them on their success and look forward to continuing to work with them in the years to come.”
Community forest agreements are area-based tenures that enable communities to more fully participate in the stewardship of local Crown forest resources. These tenures provide 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 British Columbia.
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Contact:
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Cheekwan Ho Public Affairs Officer Ministry of Forests and Range 250 387-8482
Garry Slonowski Communications Manager Ktunaxa Nation Council 250 420-2733
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