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| Backgrounder(s) & FactSheet(s): | Backgrounder |
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| Backgrounder(s) & FactSheet(s): | Backgrounder |
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UCLUELET – Alberni-Qualicum MLA Gillian Trumper joined Minister of State for Forestry Operations Roger Harris in inviting the District of Ucluelet to apply for a community forest agreement, bringing new economic opportunities to the West Coast of Vancouver Island.
“We are acting on our commitment to expand the community’s role in managing its local resources,” said Trumper. “A community forest will allow Ucluelet to make decisions about area timber resources and other values, including recreation and tourism, for the benefit of the community.”
“In the Forestry Revitalization Plan, we committed to opening up new economic opportunities for communities, First Nations and smaller operators,” said Harris. “Today’s invitation to the District of Ucluelet is proof of government’s commitment towards that goal.”
The District of Ucluelet has been invited to apply for a community forest agreement of about 25,000 cubic metres in the Arrowsmith Timer Supply Area.
“This community forest shows government is keeping their promise to give communities more control of their forests,” said District of Ucluelet Mayor Dianne St. Jacques. “The agreement will allow us to build on the plans we’ve put into place, creating jobs for our citizens and sustain and support the economic growth of our community.”
Community forest agreements are a mechanism by which the province transfers decision-making to communities that wish to more fully participate in the stewardship of their local forest resources. Community forest tenures are area-based, giving tenure-holders exclusive stewardship of an area of forest land over the term of the agreement. The probationary agreements are for five years, after which they may be extended for another five years or replaced with a long-term agreement of 25 to 99 years.
For more information on this community forest agreement and other Ministry initiatives, visit http://www.gov.bc.ca/for/ online.
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