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| Backgrounder(s) & FactSheet(s): | Backgrounder |
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| Backgrounder(s) & FactSheet(s): | Backgrounder |
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BURNS LAKE –Bulkley Valley-Stikine MLA Dennis MacKay and Minister of State for Forestry Operations Roger Harris today announced the award of the first 25-year community forest agreement bringing economic benefits and local control of forest resources to the area surrounding the Village of Burns Lake.
“The value of community forests is in the value each community places on them,” said MacKay. “Profits from this community forest tenure will be re-invested directly to the benefit of the community on projects the Community Forests corporation finds the community at large values most – whether that’s hiking trails, community education or books for a school library.”
Burns Lake Community Forest Ltd. has been issued a letter offering a long-term community forest licence, providing up to 54,000 cubic metres of timber annually for at least 25 years from the Lakes timber supply area. The agreement replaces the pilot agreement signed in July 2000.
“Communities have asked for greater control of their local resources, and this government has listened by following through on our Forestry Revitalization Plan,” said Harris. “Now, Burns Lake will be able to make long-term sustainability decisions about the local forest resources to meet economic, social and environmental needs particular to the local community.”
“Our village is very pleased the provincial government is providing this opportunity – it is a great beginning for our community,” said Burns Lake Mayor Bernice Magee. “The extended and expanded community forest tenure will allow us to derive revenues from our local forest and maintain our partnership with local First Nations while managing that resource in a way that reflects our own community values.”
Michael Riis-Christianson, Burns Lake Community Forest Ltd president said, “We want to build a lasting relationship with the land that will provide forestry training and education opportunities, revenue for the community as a whole, and culturally significant economic and educational opportunities for all residents of the Lakes District.”
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 land base. Community forest tenures are area-based, giving the holders exclusive stewardship of a geographic area of forest land over the term of the agreement. This agreement is the first pilot agreement to be replaced by a long-term agreement over 25 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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