News Forestry Pulp
B.C. offers funding support to 19 new forestry, bioenergy projects through FESBC

The B.C. government announced funding yesterday for 19 new projects through the Forest Enhancement Society of BC (FESBC).

The new projects include a wildfire fuel break, low-value log transportation, and shipping fibre to a bioenergy facility.

“FESBC is thrilled to assist the Government of British Columbia to support workers and communities,” Steve Kozuki, executive director of FESBC, said in a provincial news release. “This funding, in turn, is enabling local people to reflect their local forestry priorities in the projects they propose and often achieve multiple benefits for each project dollar. First Nations and local communities have the knowledge and creativity to leverage forestry projects to also improve wildlife habitat, reduce greenhouse gases, contribute to reconciliation, jobs for workers and much more.”

Central Chilcotin Rehabilitation is receiving $1.8 million to create a wildfire fuel break northeast of the Anaham community.

Stuwix Resources joint venture, a partnership of eight First Nations in the southern Interior, is getting $1.25 million to deliver more than 1,500 truck loads of low-value fibre to various facilities, including Nicola Clean Power in Merritt. The funding is also supporting a pilot biohub project to collect and process/merchandize low-value fibre in a central area.

BioNorth Energy is receiving $800,000 to help with shipping northern fibre to their Fort St. James facility.

Joe Nemeth, manager of BC Pulp and Paper Coalition, said, “The funding from Forest Enhancement Society of BC is making a big and positive difference in our province. Without FESBC’s funding program, I believe we would have seen more pulp-mill downtime and probably one or two mills shut. The funding FESBC provides for projects that enhance the utilization of waste wood is a game changer that is helping to keep mills running and both First Nations and small contractors in business.”