NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release

2006FOR0114-001118

Sept. 15, 2006

Ministry of Forests and Range

LONG-TERM FORESTRY AGREEMENT AIDS TOURISM ACTIVITIES

LIKELY – A long-term forestry agreement to be issued by the Province to the communities of Likely and

Soda Creek will help create jobs and raise revenue to help boost tourism in the region, announced Forests

and Range Minister Rich Coleman today.

“We recognize the benefits the Likely-Xats’ull Community Forest has provided to the area over the

last several years and we want to build on this success by providing them with longer-term certainty on the

land base,” said Coleman. “This 25-year agreement will help Likely-Xats’ull deliver on its vision for a

strong, vibrant economy.”

The Likely-Xats’ull Community Forest is a coalition between the Soda Creek Indian Band and the

community of Likely. The agreement covers about 12,000 hectares of public forest land and has an

allowable annual cut of 15,000 cubic metres in the Central Cariboo Forest District. The community forest

organization collaborates with local residents to ensure multiple uses of the area, as it is located on the Gold

Rush Trail and includes historic sites such as the Bullion Pit and scenic views of the Quesnel and Cariboo

Rivers.

“This agreement will benefit everyone, as our loggers get to spend more time with their families

and less time in camp,” said Robin Hood, manager of the Likely-Xats’ull Community Forest. “We also use

the funds from harvesting timber to help diversify our economies by developing our historical and

wilderness tourism infrastructures. This agreement means our town is alive again.”

First issued with a five-year community forest agreement in 2003, the Likely-Xats’ull Community

Forest has directed a portion of its forestry income towards restoring area tourism attractions, including

those that depict the history of the old Quesnel River Dam.

As well, 22 signs designating the Gold Rush circle tour and points of interest around the

community will be installed between Likely, Wells and Barkerville. One of the unique signs will feature

the blade from an old D-10 tractor painted bright yellow, and will mark the entrance of the new Bullion Pit

picnic area offering hiking trails, mining equipment displays and picnic tables.

Since August 2004, government has provided new or expanded community forest opportunities for

29 communities across the Province. These agreements give local governments, community groups and

First Nations the opportunity to more fully participate in the stewardship of local forest resources.

-30-