|
(Clearwater Times Published: November 09, 2009 5:00 AM)
The federal government is contributing $1.23 million towards wildfire fuel management to be done around Clearwater and Vavenby.
The announcement, made late last week, plus money from the province and Union of B.C. Municipalities, brings to $2.5 million being spent to protect the communities from wildfire plus create jobs.
Kamloops-Thompson-Cariboo MP Cathy McLeod joined Kamloops-North Thompson MLA Terry Lake and Clearwater Mayor John Harwood to announce the government support.
“Our government, through the Community Adjustment Fund, is providing a timely, targeted stimulus to western Canadian communities, helping reduce the impacts of the global recession,” said McLeod. “This project will help create jobs and maintain employment in Clearwater, helping our community overcome the challenges currently facing our region.”
The project will allow the District of Clearwater to create immediate employment opportunities to undertake fuel management treatments in Wells Gray Country (Area A). Federal funding is being provided through the Community Adjustment Fund (CAF) as part of Canada’s Economic Action Plan.
“This investment in forest health maintenance will be a great benefit, both for long term forest resource sustainability and for keeping forest workers employed,” said MLA Terry Lake.
Project activities will include thinning and spacing forest stands to prescribed densities, removing residual forest fuels, removing and pruning trees, and burning or chipping wood. Several risk assessments have identified the need for fuel management treatments in and around the district to reduce the risk of wildfires.
“The District of Clearwater is very pleased to be receiving this announcement.
It brings great stimulus to our local economy and lends to the long term sustainability of our area,” said Mayor Harwood. “The opportunity to apply for this grant came shortly after the announcement of the indefinite shutdown of the Canfor Vavenby sawmill, our work plan is a multi-faceted approach to providing employment opportunities to out of work forest workers by addressing increasing fuel loading in the interface areas of Clearwater and Vavenby. This project will not only build safer communities it also enhances our quality of life by providing additional opportunities to integrate some trail development in these are as well.”
McLeod made the announcement on behalf of the Honourable Lynne Yelich, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification,
CAF will provide $306 million over two years to support the most affected western Canadian communities, such as those that are heavily reliant on resource-based industries. Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD) is delivering the fund in the four western provinces.
|
