A community forest agreement will diversify the local economy and create more business for the Babine Lake area, Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Steve Thomson announced today at a signing ceremony with the Village of Granisle and the Lake Babine Nation.

Residents of the North will now find it even easier to access government services with the official opening of a brand-new FrontCounter BC office in Fort St. James.

New guidelines have been released to help B.C.'s coastal communities update floodplain area maps and adapt to rising sea levels.

The Province has approved $120 million in royalty credits which will lead to the development of 30 new infrastructure projects in northeast B.C. The building of these projects will create over 2,085 direct jobs.

Local contractor Brocor Construction Ltd. has been awarded an $8.5-million contract for the Braden Road Phase 3 project. This will complete the reconstruction of the entire length of Braden Road between Highway 97 North and Highway 97 South.

Woodlot licensee George Delisle has received the Minister's Award of Excellence for Woodlot Management, Boundary-Similkameen MLA John Slater announced at a presentation on behalf of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Minister Steve Thomson.

Almost 100 B.C. Wildfire Management Branch personnel depart for Ontario as fire activity levels remain high in that province.

Fire wardens and other fire officials will be patrolling the Southeast Fire Centre this weekend to ensure campfire safety and compliance.

These patrols will target high-risk areas and ensure enforcement within areas such as Boundary and Christina Lake, where 26 abandoned campfires have been found this season.