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| Backgrounder(s) & FactSheet(s): | Backgrounder |
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| Backgrounder(s) & FactSheet(s): | Backgrounder |
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POWELL RIVER – MLA Harold Long joined minister of state for Forestry Operations Roger Harris in inviting the District of Powell River to apply for a community forest agreement, bringing new economic opportunities to the Sunshine Coast.
“For decades communities have asked for more control of their local resources – this government is taking action,” said Long. “With the right mix of available tenure and a community with big ideas, I’m confident Powell River will create a community forest that will benefit and strengthen our local economy.”
“This government is following through on its commitment to expand B.C.’s community forests program, giving communities more control of their forest resources,” said Harris. “The community forest tenure is flexible enough to allow communities to create a business that can provide a revenue stream, while allowing communities to develop for other values – such as recreation and tourism – as they see fit.”
“We intend to take this opportunity that the government has provided and create a community forest that will be both economically and environmentally sustainable,” said Powell River mayor Stewart Alsgard. “Not only will direct revenues flow back to our communities, this tenure will provide direct economic benefit.”
Powell River has been invited to apply for a probationary community forest for about 25,000 cubic metres of timber annually in the Sunshine Coast timber supply area. The volume will be made available after the provincewide timber reallocation process is completed over the next several months.
Community forest agreements are a mechanism by which the Province transfers decision-making to communities that wish to more fully participate in their local forest resource stewardship. Community forest tenures are area-based, giving the holders exclusive stewardship of an area of forest land over the term of the agreement. The probationary agreements are for five years, at which time they may be extended for another five years or replaced with a long-term agreement of 25 to 99 years. Since July 2004, government has provided community forest opportunities for 10 communities across B.C.
For more information on this community forest agreement and other ministry initiatives visit: http://www.gov.bc.ca/for/ online. -30-
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