Funds announced for forestry projects

PRINCE GEORGE – The Secretary of State for Natural Resource Operations was in the city to announce nearly 28 million dollars in funds for 26 projects, all geared to making better use of wood waste. Wood waste is created when standard logging operations are complete and residues, such as smaller timber, are left behind.

“The thing that annoys people the most is seeing piles and piles of waste being burned,” says Ravi Kahlon, Secretary of State for Natural Resource Operations. “Or just sitting there.”

The Province today announced $28 million for 38 projects to use that wood waste in a better way. The funds come from the $235 million fund overseen by the BC Forest Enhancement Fund. Pacific Bioenergy is receiving four envelopes of funding for four different projects.

The first is $726,000 to better utilize low-grade fibre from the McBride Community Forest, while the second while use fibre not suitable for pulp in the Quesnel area for the same purpose. The other projects are in the area of Nazko, where Pacific Bioenergy has a partnership with the First Nation. Both projects are around wildfire mitigation.