McLeod Band Signs Deal for Mountain Pine Beetle Trees

Tuesday, August 01, 2006 10:59 AM

Minister of Forest and Range Rich Coleman and McLeod Lake Chief Alec Chingee prepare to sign agreement

In a brief ceremony today at the Native Friendship Centre in Prince George, the McLeod Lake Band signed an agreement with the Ministry of Forests.

The agreement gives the Band access to 175,000 cubic metres of Mountain Pine beetle wood in both the Mackenzie and Prince George Timber Supply Areas.

Minister of Forests and Range, Rich Coleman says the five year agreement will not only create new opportunities for the McLeod Band, but it will also help battle the pine beetle infestation.

"The agreement signed today enhances our position as a major contributor to the Northern Interior forest economy," said Chief Alec Chingee. Under Duz Cho Logging, the Band has contracts with Abitibi and Canfor. Chingee says like all logging operations his Band's operations are being hampered by a shortage of trucks.

Chingee also says this will help compensate his people for the loss of traditional practices on lands that have been impacted by the beetle.

To date, the Ministry of Forests and Range has reached agreements with 108 First Nations, granting access to more than 17.1 million cubic metres of timber and sharing $121.4 million in revenue. Coleman says at least two more such agreements will be signed within the next couple of days, and another 70 applications could be made.

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