|
|
|
Happy New Year and welcome to the January edition of my e-Newsletter.
At the recent 66th Annual Truck Loggers Convention, Premier Campbell announced a number of new initiatives aimed at building new markets, supporting workers and contractors, and strengthening the industry:
1. changes to Coastal stumpage;
2. encouraging extention of E.I. and Work-Sharing;
3. supporting tax exemptions for trust funds;
4. a 'Wood-First' Policy for new public facilities and
six-storey wood-frame construction;
5. a Commercial Forest Reserve;
6. strengthening the Woodworkers' Lien Act;
7. improving access to fibre supply; and
8. bioenergy tenure and pricing.
Over the coming year, I look forward to working with industry, communities, First Nations and our forest workers to implement these initiatives as we continue to build a strong, sustainable future for forestry in British Columbia.
Until next month,
Minister Pat Bell
Ministry of Forests and Range
|
| |
|
|
|
|
BUILDING WITH WOOD
Given its strength, versatility, and climate-
friendly attributes, British Columbia
is promoting greater use of wood in
commercial and institutional construction.
NEW WOOD-FIRST POLICY PROMOTED CANADA-WIDE - At the Annual Truck Loggers Convention in Vancouver, Premier Campbell announced the Province will require all new public facilities to include B.C. wood in their construction whenever possible. B.C.'s new building code will raise the limit on wood-frame construction to six storeys, starting April 6, and the Province will urge other provincial governments and the federal government to implement B.C.'s Wood-First Policy.
|
| |
|
|
|
|
FOREST SAFETY
The ministry is committed to maintaining
high safety standards to protect both forest
workers and the public.
RADAR GUNS TO MONITOR ALL FOREST SERVICE ROADS - Ministry staff across all 29 forest districts will be trained to use radar guns to enforce speed limits and improve safety on B.C.'s 59,000-kilometre network of forest service roads. Photos
COMMUNITY TRUST REDUCING FOREST FIRE RISK IN WOSS - $116,330 in funding will employ local forest workers to remove natural fire hazards as well as contruction and household waste that has been disposed of in the forest, making Woss a safer place to live.
COMMUNITY TRUST EMPLOYS 12 FOREST WORKERS - Funding of $220,000 will help clear mountain pine beetle trees in recreation sites and improve safety on heavily used snowmobile trails in the Houston area.
|
| |
|
|
|
|
OTHER MINISTRY NEWS
PREMIER ANNOUNCES INITIATIVES FOR INDUSTRY AND WORKERS - At the recent Annual Truck Loggers Convention, Premier Campbell's keynote address set out a number of new initiatives aimed at building new markets, supporting workers and contractors, and strengthening the industry.
FORESTRY HELPS KWICKSUTAINEUK AH-KWA-MISH REBUILD - The revenue generated from a forestry Interim Measure Agreement will support the Kwicksutaineuk Ah-kwa-mish First Nation’s efforts to rebuild their community of Gwa-yas-dums on Gilford Island near Port McNeill.
FORT NELSON RECEIVES $94,130 TO IMPROVE TRAILS - The funding will employ four forest workers to improve facilities and trails at Beaver Lake by widening roads and installing new outhouses, signage and a communal firepit.
COMMUNITY TRUST EMPLOYS 10 FOREST WORKERS IN SLIAMMON - The $74,000 grant will help improve silviculture conditions on two forestry blocks near Powell River by removing brush and undesirable tree species.
COMMUNITY TRUST MAKING BIATHLON VENUE WORLD CLASS – Funding of $198,500 will employ five forest workers to upgrade the Hannah Creek biathlon venue near Castlegar to international standards, expand trail systems, and remove hazardous trees.
CONGRATULATIONS TO PRINCE RUPERT STAFF - In December, the Prince Rupert Daily News featured Devlin Fernandes, a Compliance and Enforcement Technician in the North Coast Forest District. With the help of her colleagues, she introduced a workplace recycling program and organized speakers to educate staff on green events in the community.
|
| |
|
|
|
|
For information on ministry announcements and events, visit the Ministry of Forests and Range Media Room.
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
GROWING TREES
By becoming a world leader
in growing trees, British
Columbia aims to maximize
the growth potential of its
forest resource.
ESTABLISHING A COMMERCIAL FOREST RESERVE - At the Annual Truck Loggers Convention Premier Campbell announced the Province will look at ways to ensure selected areas of harvested land remain protected as a forest asset and will not be set aside for other uses.
NEW OPPORTUNITIES FOR QUATSINO FIRST NATION - A new woodlot and the expansion of an existing woodlot will provide the Quatsino, located near Port McNeill, with a stronger foundation from which to participate and succeed in B.C.'s forest sector.
|
| |
|
|
|
INTERNATIONAL MARKETING
British Columbia is working
to expand its overseas
exports, particularly into
the rapidly growing
China market.
WENCHUAN EARTHQUAKE RECONSTRUCTION PROJECT UPDATE - The dormitory wood frame is now in place at the Xiang'E Primary School project site in Dujiangyan, China. Construction of the entire school is scheduled to be completed by June this year. Photos
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
IMPROVING UTILIZATION
British Columbia is working
to maximize the economic
opportunities from wood
fibre previously considered
waste or debris.
ECONOMIC AGREEMENT SUPPORTS NEW WOOD PELLET PLANT - An agreement signed with four Secwepemc First Nations will assist the harvest of mountain pine beetle timber and support the construction of a wood pellet plant near Kamloops.
B.C. COMPANY HELPING TURN BEETLE WOOD INTO POWER - Trace Resources is turning wood waste into clean power by grinding slash and unsalvageable mountain pine beetle timber for electricity production at the Domtar pulp mill in Kamloops. Photos
CREATION OF BIOENERGY TENURE AND PRICING - Announced at the Annual Truck Loggers Convention, the Province will look at new ways to increase investment certainty for bioenergy and ensure 100 per cent of a harvested tree can be utilized.
|
| |
|
|
|
|
INDUSTRY NEWS
130 WORKERS EXPECTED BACK TO WORK IN FORT ST. JOHN - Conifex, the new owner of the former Pope & Talbot lumber mill, will be hiring back a single shift of 130 workers to begin production in March.
FORT ST. JOHN NAMED 2009 B.C. FOREST CAPITAL - This honour recognizes and celebrates the valuable role Fort St. John plays in B.C.'s forest sector, employing 700 people in town and contributing over $98-million per year to the local economy.
VETERAN FORESTER HONOURED - The Assoc. of B.C. Forest Professionals awarded an honourary membership to 95-year old Merve Wilkinson of Nanaimo for his sustainable forestry practices, unique use of forest management techiniques and his willingness to share his knowledge with students young and old.
|
| |
|
|
|
|
FORESTRY FACTS
- B.C. is a world leader at reforestation.
- There are more than 25 million hectares of old growth forests in B.C.
- B.C. grows 34 per cent of the world’s softwoods.
|
| |
|
|
|
|
WEB RESOURCES
The ministry's website provides a wide range of services and a wealth of information regarding B.C.'s forest sector.
The Timber Supply Review e-mail service contains newly released timber supply documents including allowable annual cut (AAC) news releases.
The Ministry Library is a great source for historical and current ministry publications including annual reports, manuals and research papers. It also houses an archived database of forestry related photos. The Library can be visited online at the above link or in person at 851 Yates St. in Victoria.
|
| |
|