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LOGAN LAKE – Today Yale-Lillooet MLA Dave Chutter and Forests
Minister Michael de Jong extended an invitation to the community of Logan Lake
to apply for a community forest agreement, bringing economic benefits and
control of local forest resources to the region and the Nicola Valley.
“This government is following through on its
commitment to put local resources into the hands of local communities,” said
Chutter. “Forestry drives the province’s economy and today’s invitation will
increase economic opportunity for Logan Lake and the Nicola valley.”
“We are now seeing tangible benefits of the
Forestry Revitalization Plan and timber reallocation, as we give communities
more control of their local resources,” said de Jong. “This will create
employment, provide a timber supply for local mills and value-added operations,
and allow communities to direct revenues locally, where they’re needed most.”
The District of Logan Lake has been invited to apply
for a probationary community forest licence, providing about 20,000 cubic
metres of timber annually. The timber comes from volume that will be made
available following a timber reallocation process currently underway.
“This
is an exciting opportunity for our community,” said District of Logan Lake
Mayor Ella Brown. “We have worked extremely hard with other agencies and the
Ministry of Forests to become a stronger player in the forest industry to meet
the changes and growth needed for our community, to provide employment for our
young people and dependable revenue generation for years to come.”
Before the tenure can be awarded, the Ministry of
Forests must consult with potentially affected First Nations and the district
must submit a detailed application to the local forest district manager.
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 the-holders exclusive stewardship of an
area of forestland over the term of the agreement. The probationary agreements
are initially 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 15 communities
across the province.
For more information on this community forest
agreement and other ministry initiatives visit: http://www.gov.bc.ca/for/ online.
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contact: |
Communications Director Ministry of Forests 250 387-8486 |
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Visit the Province's website at www.gov.bc.ca for online information and services. |
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