KAMLOOPS INDIAN BAND SIGNS BEETLE AGREEMENT

KAMLOOPS – The Kamloops Indian Band has secured a three-year forestry agreement that will aid the Province in fighting the mountain pine beetle while helping the Kamloops Band fulfil its long-range economic development goals, Premier Gordon Campbell announced today.

“We are working side by side with First Nations to face the challenges brought on by the mountain pine beetle epidemic,” said Campbell. “This agreement will help the Kamloops Band build a stronger economy in their community and create jobs. Each forestry agreement we sign builds on our New Relationship, and reinforces our commitment to making First Nations full participants in British Columbia’s forest sector.”

The short-term agreement provides access to nearly 124,000 cubic metres of beetle-wood within the Kamloops Timber Supply Area. The volume augments a forest and range agreement signed by the band in 2005, which granted $2.5 million in shared revenue and 272,000 cubic metres of timber over five years.

“First Nations are important partners in our battle against the mountain pine beetle,” said Minister of Forests and Range Rich Coleman. “By harvesting these trees, the Kamloops Indian Band will help recover the economic value of beetle-attacked wood and reduce the risk of devastating forest fires.”

            The Kamloops Indian Band plans to use its new beetle-wood volume to support a potential log sort and associated value-added facilities. The additional fibre will also assist the band in forging business partnerships with both industry and other area First Nations. 

“The expanded timber access granted today supports our vision for a vibrant local economy, not only for our people but the broader community of Kamloops,” said Chief Shane Gottfriedson. “The beetle infestation will eventually peak and pass. Our long-term goal is creating a diverse, lasting and prosperous forest sector in the Southern Interior.”

Other First Nations to sign mountain pine beetle agreements are: Little Shuswap Indian Band, Bonaparte Indian Band, Simpcw First Nation, Red Bluff Band and the Lhoosk’uz Dene Nation. Funding has also been set aside to support First Nations participation on the Province’s Mountain Pine Beetle Response Team and assist in sustaining First Nations traditions and customs that could be disrupted by the infestation.

Since 2002, the Province has reached forestry agreements with 106 First Nations, providing access to 17.1 million cubic metres of timber and sharing nearly $120.5 million in revenue.

-30-

Reference #: 2006OTP0123-000932

Date released: Jul 14, 2006

Region: Province Wide

Category: General

Contact(s):

Mike Morton

Press Secretary

Office of the Premier

250 213-8218

Max Cleeveley

Communications Director

Ministry of Forests and Range

250 387-8486

Shane Gottfriedson

Chief

Kamloops Indian Band

250 828-9700

****************************************************************************

The Ministry of Forests web site is http://www.for.gov.bc.ca

All Ministry of Forests news releases, back to 1994, are available at:

http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/pscripts/pab/newsrel/mofnewstitles.asp