Forest Renewal British Columbia funds sought for recreation projects THE BC FOREST Service is turning to Forest Renewal BC in 1997, with hopes of drumming up some extra cash for several forest recreation projects. In the face of shrinking government budgets, the Forest Service is tooking for partnerships with agencies like FRBC and community recreation groups to help build and maintain Forest Service trails and camp sites. Last year, the Forest Ser- vice received two FRBC grants for the Kalum Forest District. That money went to trail-building and an out- door classroom at Red Sands Lake in the Nass Val- ley, “This year we want to spread the projects around the district more,’’ says Forest Service’: ‘recreation technician Carl. Johansen. “Bat it will be tough be- cause we are competing against industry groups and Parks for the dollars.’’. One of the proposed projects in- | volves reopening the old United Empire Loyalist trail near Stewart and joining it up with Alaska’s Titan Trail. The Loyalist traif follows an historic pack-horse route up into the alpine, to an old mine site. An extension to the trail would cross over the border to the U.S. “That would make it a true international — trail,”’ says Johansen, who has been talking with the U.S. Forest Service about the project. ‘It would be a cooperative effort.”’ Anoth- er proposal involves upgrad- ing the Bonney Lakes canoe route, near Meziadin Junc- tion on Highway 37. The trek crosses five lakes, joined together by portage trails, to create a canoe roule that would take three to five days ta com- plete. Johansen says the site has great potential, especially since the recent establish- ment of nearby Swan Lake Provincial Park.’ 1997 NORTHERN WOOD FORUM May 8- 10,1997 Williams Lake, B.C. “We would like to up- grade the camping sites,”’ Johansen says. ‘Right now they are just cleared areas.’’ The Forest Service is also asking for funding to up- grade the popular Onion Lakes cross country ski trails between Kitimat and Terrace. The trails are used by hundreds of skiers in the winter, as well as mountain bikers and hikers in the summec months. It also hosts several cross country ski tournaments. Johansen says the site needs trail maintenance, im- proved signage and could use upgrades to one of the warming huts. The nearby Gunsight Peak Trail is another project in need of funding. The trail starts near Lakelse “Lake Provincial Park, 20 km south of Terrace, and meanders: along Granite Creek before heading up into spectacular alpine: “Tmprovements to that trail would be great for local would extend for same six kilometres from the Furlong . Bay Campground’ to Gunsight Lake, ~ hikers, tourists and campers staying at the lake,” Johansen says. The trail was flagged off by Forest Service workers last year. If completed, it would extend for some six kilometres from the Furlong Bay Campground ta Gunsight Lake. re os Ede a ruts es ne Bm ie John Deere grapple won't let go until rf, RSE fe you're good and ready. fe The mightiest engine, the smoothest transmission, and the nicest cab don’t mean beans if the grapple can’t hang onto a load. While other grapples wres- tle around, trying to get a decent grip on your logs, John. Deere G-Series Skidders : have already been to the © landing and started head- ing back for more timber. The grapple head features 360-degree rotation. Each tong has its own hydraulic | cylinder - with synchro- nized motion that adapts the tongs to the load, rather than trying to force : the load to adapt to the RUN. WITH) THE. tongs. And the closed-center hydraulic system maintains constant pressure, virtually locking the tongs in place. Get behind the wheel of a G-Series Skidder - and get a firm grasp of this harvesting R business once hh and for all. a ON DEERE 2905 Tatlow Road, Smithers Phone 847-3236 * Fax 847-5066 “BES Te