AGENCY CHIEFS, PROVINCE RENEW WOOD SUPPLY AGREEMENT

Released on November 4, 2005

Saskatchewan Environment and Agency Chiefs Tribal Council Inc. (ACTC) today renewed a wood supply agreement, building on the success of the previous four-year agreement and moving ACTC a step closer to a long-term timber supply.

"Agency Chiefs has done a remarkable job in putting together working relationships and partnerships with government agencies, the forest industry and communities in the agreement area," Environment Minister David Forbes said. "I congratulate ACTC on their successes and look forward to working co-operatively with them to explore opportunities for a long-term wood supply."

The agreement covers almost 2.3 million hectares of forested land, roughly north and west of Prince Albert. The original agreement, signed in January 2001, has provided ACTC with access to a portion of the available fire salvage on part of Weyerhaeuser's Prince Albert Forest Management Agreement area. The agreement also formed the basis for continuing discussions about long-term access to wood from forested Crown agricultural lands in the agreement area. The new five-year agreement, along with the recently completed inventory for the area, is an important step toward confirmation of a sustainable long-term wood supply.

The agreement has generated many benefits for ACTC, including successful business relationships within the industry. As well, ACTC has become a large logging contractor and has established partnerships and associated businesses, including a sawmill and a ready-to-move home construction company.

Agency Chiefs Tribal Council includes the Pelican Lake First Nation, the Witchekan First Nation and the Big River First Nation.

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For More Information, Contact:

Kim Clark Environment Prince Albert Phone: (306) 953-2786 Cell: (306) 961-6267

Ron Blocka ACTC Spiritwood Phone: (306) 883-3880