The Terrace Standard, Wednesday, May 4, 1994 - D2 Forest offers a lot to us, says minister CLEANING UP THE WORLD STARTS AT By ANDREW PETTER Minister of Forests NATIONAL FOREST Week provides 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 million hectares, is the second largest forest district in the Prince Rupert Forest Region. Situated in the coastal mountains, this district offers a wide - diversity. of forest ecosysicms, scenic landscapes and recreational opportunities in addition to forest develop- ment, There’ are several key forest activitics which result from these attributes. Over the years, the Terrace, Kitimat and Nass areas have been the focus of forest indus- : tty. activity in the region. Some 2.8 million cubic meters of wood is harvested annually from 6,000 hectares support- ing much of the local econo- my, ' Along with this forest devel- opment is the largest silvicul- ture program in the Prince Rupert Forest Region. More than $9 miliion was invested . last year in planting 2,844 hec- - fares, surveying 20,000 hec- fares to determine reforesta- tion successes and treating an- other 3,512 hectares by brush- ing, weeding, spacing and pruning. To protect the amenities and ‘investments, fire fighting is an important activity. Lightning causes mos! of the average of 70 forest fires each year in the I's a hectic ‘week ACTIVITIES TO increase the: ‘awareness of the importance of B.C.’s forests as. com- unity resources are being carried out across the province during National Forest Week from now until May 7, forest minister Andrew Petter says, ~ “This annual event highlights the imporlance of our forests and the social, en- vironmental and economic benefits British Columbians receive from them,” Petter ~ said, ‘Forest service staff, com- munity volunteers, industry and other foresiry groups in about 100 communities around the pravince will be offering . tours, hosting demonstrations and staging special events to help celebrate this important week. “This year’s theme is “Growing With Our Forests’’, and I urge residents to take full» advantage of the op- portunity to taik to the people involved in these events and _ learn more about our forests,”’ ‘the minister added, = OF special note this year is the celebration of Smokey the ‘Bear’s 50th birthday. Smokey has been reminding people to prevent forest fires through educational programs and ac- tivities since 1944. , “The province-wide — ac- livities. will be enjoyed by young and old alike,’’ said Victor Godin, president of the B.C, Forestry Association, the agency that sponsors and coor- dinates the program in B.C. “‘Representatives from government agencies, indus- try, and groups such as the Junior Forest Wardens, Girl Guides and Scouts are all working to make this year’s program a great success.” “With the growing public awareness of foresl issues throughout Canada and B.C., I’m pleased that we have one ofthe most active National - Forest Week programs in the - nation, * Petter said. Andrew Petter district. And, with mountains and Tivers come the opportunities for outdoor recreation. Within the districl, there are six active recreation sites, and over 80 kilometers of hiking and cross country ski trails. A demonstration forest al Red Sand Lake developed over the past six years, fea- tures a one and one-half kilo- meter wheel chair accessible trail. tion for their efforts in provid- ing wheel chair accessible facilities. This spring we will be intro- ducing legislation for of Brit- ish Columbia's first ’ forest Practices Code, The Code will change the way we manage our forests, We have also just - introduced our Forest Renewal Plan that will allow govern- | ment, industry and British Columbians to work in pari- — nership to ensure secure, sustainable forest-based jobs. The timber supply review currently underway will pro- vide the province with more up-to-date information on the State of the resource and a bet- ter understanding of current forest management practices upon which to base Sustainable harvesting levels in the future. To the scouting movement, | hope you enjoyed the Trees for Canada planting program this past Sunday. And grade five students, en- joy and leam from your tour of the Red Sand Demonsira- tion Forest. British Columbia is embark- ing on a new era of forest management and National Forest Week is your op- PITCH-IN WEEK MAY 2-8 @ 4 NW ol INNES. lene ii Astump to dump contractor harvesting a renewable resource The B.C. Paraplegic Associ- portunity to learn more about ation honoured the district what is. happening in the with their Award of Distinc- Kalum Forest District, 1577 Kenworth WE SALUTE National Forest Week 635-2303} BRITISH COLUMBIA’S FOREST REN EWAL PLAN. FORESTS _ Changing the way we manage our forests ~ Your provincial government's Forest Renewal Plan, introduced in the BC Legislature April 14th, is a new approach to solving the problems created after decades of taking our forests for granted. Here's what makes the Forest Renewal Plan unique: 7 . s e Working in partnership Your provincial government's Forest Renewal Plan brings together leaders from business, labour, the environmental movement, forest communities, and First Nations in a new partnership to renew our forests and the jobs they provide, A $2 billion investment to renew our forests Over the next five years an estimated $2 billion in new money will be invested in forest renewal. - But taxpayers are not being asked to foot the’ bill. The — $2 billion will be raised from the forest industry through increased stumpage rates for timber harvested on public land. And by law, this new money must be spent on renewing the forests and ensuring forest jobs. . e Restoring our environment The Forest Renewal Plan will restore and protect forest eco-systems in BC, ensuring jobs by: @ cleaning up environmental damage to rivers, streams, and watersheds ® removing unnecessary logging roads and restoring hillsides to prevent soil crosion restocking and protecting fi fish and ali. cOLUMABIA'S Giving back to the forests The Forest Renewal Plan will put people to work: : improving reforestation and reducing the. time lag between harvest and replanting # ensuring more intensive silviculture and: care of | our forests after replanting ® increasing the amount of Iand available for replanting Renewing our forest economy The Forest Renewal Plan will ensure family- supporting forest jobs now and in the future by a putting people to work: # expanding value-added manufacturing and - finished products * researching and developing new BC forest products and markets @ investing in skills training for forest workers _ “ Together we can renew - our forests British Columbia's Forest Renewal Plan isan : opportunity to replace confrontation with.coopera- tion. [t’s a chance to begin working together in partnership to renew our forests, ensure jobs and strengthen communities, : wildlife @ developing new environmentally sound forest practices, including more selective harvesting and commercial thinning. aeeeon To find out nore about the oo Forest Renewal Pian, contact. your MLA for details, or call 1 800 860-7717. GOVERNMENT..O.F BRITISH >COLUM BIA: nish T aes