Released on April 22, 1999
Economic and Co-operative Development Minister Janice MacKinnon andEnvironment and Resource Management Minister Lorne Scott today
announced that the province has given conditional approval to
Weyerhaeuser Canada's revised business plan. Subject to final
environmental assessment, Weyerhaeuser proposes to expand its lumber
operations while relinquishing part of its licence area, opening the
door for possible new developments.
"This revised plan provides new opportunities for economic development
and employment for northerners," MacKinnon said. "Weyerhaeuser's
business plan projects a $90 million investment and the creation of
approximately 500 new jobs as the result of the expansion of the Big
River sawmill and the construction of the new Wapawekka sawmill. This
is in addition to the $315 million environmental upgrade Weyerhaeuser
previously announced for the Prince Albert Pulp and Paper Mill."
The revised plan reflects the findings of an Independent Review Panel,
led by Dr. Hamish Kimmons of the University of British Columbia, which
was established by the province to review the 20-Year Forest
Management Plan developed by Weyerhaeuser.
"A panel of internationally recognized forestry experts reviewed
and approved some 150 recommendations made by another independent
scientific panel who reviewed the Weyerhaeuser Plan, confirmed a
surplus sustainable harvest in the Weyerhaeuser licence area and
identified environmental protection concerns," Scott said.
Some of the most significant features of the revised plan
submitted by Weyerhaeuser are:
an agreement to relinquish northern portions of its licence
area for potential northern economic development;
a commitment by Weyerhaeuser to relinquish portions of its
licence area enabling the province to establish significant
protected areas 120,000 to 150,000 hectares as part of
the Representative Areas Network; and
30 per cent of the allowable annual cut will be preserved
for environmental protection such as modified cutting
practices, riparian zone (wetland areas around water courses
and lakes) protection, retention of older forests, and fire
and insect reserves.
Approximately 12 per cent of the present Weyerhaeuser licence
area is now identified as provincial park, parkland reserve or
representative areas.
"Weyerhaeuser and SERM have accepted most of the panel's
recommendations and the revised 20-Year Forest Management Plan
will incorporate many of them," Scott said. "The province has
now accepted the majority of Weyerhaeuser's revised business plan
as a basis for the company to revise its 20-Year Forest
Management Plan and Environmental Impact Statement. The finished
documents will be ready by this fall, followed by a public review
period.
"Ensuring the sustainability of activities and protecting the
long-term health of our forest ecosystems will remain our primary
considerations," Scott added. "The public will continue to play
a key role in forest management decisions."
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For more information, contact:
Al Willcocks Greg Leake
Environment and Resource Economic and Co-operative
Management Development
Prince Albert Regina
Phone: (306) 953-2486 Phone: (306) 787-1691