DB - The Terrace Standard, Wednesday. May 10, 1995

We’re at the heart
of forestry activity

By ANDREW PETTER
Forests Minister
NATIONAL FOREST Week pra-
vides British Columbians with an
opportunity to find out more
about forest activities in and

about their communities.

The Kalum forest district in
your area, covering some 3,7 mil-
lion hectares, is the second largest
forest region in the Prince Rupert
Forest Region.

Situated. in the coastal
mountains, this district offers a
wide diversity of forest
ecosystems, scenic landscapes
and recreational opportunitics in
addition to forest development.

There are several key forest ac-
tivilies which result from these
attributes.

Over the years, Terrace, Kitimat
and Nass areas have been the
focus of forest industry activity in
the region.

Some 2.6 million cubic meters
of wood is harvested annually
from 5,800 supporting much of
the local economy.

Along with this forest develop-
ment is the largest silviculture
program in the ‘Prince Rupert
Forest Region.

More than nine million dollars
were invested last year in plant-
ing 7,250 hectares, planting 6.3
million seedlings, surveying
34,900 hectares to determine
reforestation successes and treat-
ing another 4,545 hectares by
brushing, weeding, spacing and
pruning.

To protect the amenities and in-

Andrew Petter

vestments, fire fighting is an im-
portant activity. Lightning causes
most of the average of 70 forest
fires each year in the district,

And, with mountains and rivers
come the opportunities for out-
door recreation.

Within the district there are six
active recreation sites and move
than 80 kilometres of hiking and
cross country ski trails.

A demonstration forest at Red
Sand Lake developed over the
past six years, features a 1.5 kilo-
metre wheel chair accessible trail.

The B.C. Paraplegic Associa-

tion honoured the district with its
Award of Distinction for efforts
in providing wheel chair acces-
sible facilities.

In April, we proclaimed the
Forest Practices Code, meaning
good forest practices are now the
law. There is now a strong, up-to-
date sct of rules, backed by
enough staff for planning and en-
forcement to provide certainty for
the forest sector. .

This instills confidence in Brit-
ish Columbians,, investors and in-
temational markets.

The Forest Renewal Plan, intro-
duced last year, is investing $400
million a year back into B.C.’s
forests — by promoting the
health and productivity of B.C.
forests through enhanced silvicul-
ture; restoring and protecting the
forest environment; creating more
value added jobs from each tree;
providing forest sector workers
with the skills they need in a
renewed forest industry; and
strengthening forest communities.

The timber supply review cur-
rently underway will provide the
province with more up-to-date in-
formation on the state of the
resource and a better understand-
ing of current forest management
practices upon which to base
sustainable harvesting levels in
the future.

British Columbia is embarking
on a new era of forest manage-

ment and National Forest Week is .

your opportunity to leam marc
about what is happening in the
Kalum forest district.

Canada is second to none

CANADA HAS 10 per cent of
the world’s total forest,

And that translates into 23 per
cent of the world trade in forest
products, worth some $45 billion
a year.

With those kinds of numbers at

. Slake, Canada’s international im-
age is crucial, says the federal
minister with responsibility for
forests.

“Our forests-are the’ focal point ;

for so many conflicting expecta-
lions -—- from the environ-

mentalists who seek to preserve
them, te aboriginal communities
who depend on the forest's socio-
economic and cultural values, to
loggers whose livelihood depends
on them,’’ said Ann McLellan in
a recent statement.

“Other nations have taken note.
Canadians have emerged as lead-
ers in sustainable forest manage-

- ment ‘and while we have a great

-deal ‘more to do; this is the new
teality across our country.”’
McLellan said she’s happy with

We Salute

Terrnace’s

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UNS

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Canada’s role in a new United
Nations committee set up to
define an internalional standard
for sustainable development,

"We have found ourselves in
that position in large part because
we have made so much progress
in our own forest management
praclices,’’ she said.

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FIRST RESPONSE

First Aid Services
Wishes to thank all their clients

who have helped to make our Forests
_@ Safer place to work through the use of

WCB required
1st aid Kits & Courses

Make Plans today for a
Safer Tomorrow
Keith Janas

HRST AID
638-1831 ba

BELL POLE c0. | LTD.

“5630 WEST HIGHWAY 16 * P.O. BOX 280, TERRACE B.C. V8G 4A6
TELEPHONE (604) 635-6295 FAX (604) 635-2233

POLE

SINCE 1909

3671 Highway 16 East
Terrace

635-2292
J “800- 663- 6390

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TERRACE DIVISION —