A transfer of Crown land to the Northern Rockies Regional Municipality will encourage investments in airport safety by reducing flight line obstacles and installing wildlife fencing announced Pat Pimm, MLA for Peace River North today on behalf of Community, Sport and Cultural Development Minister Bill Bennett.

Established in 1941, the Northern Rockies Regional Airport was originally used for ferrying and refueling approximately 8000 aircraft en route to Russia during WWII. In 1994, Fort NeIson assumed sole ownership of the airport, and today the airport has evolved into a busy transportation hub in northeastern British Columbia.

This Crown grant transfers 907 hectares surrounding the Northern Rockies Regional Airport to the Northern Rockies Regional Municipality. Improvements to this land will support the continued growth of the region.

Quotes:

Pat Pimm, MLA for Peace River North -

"The Northern Rockies Regional Airport moved over 100,000 passengers through its facilities in 2012. With a busy fire season in the Fort Nelson Fire District, it also handled a substantial increase in air traffic involved in fire suppression activities. The airport is a vital and integral service to the residents and economy of the Northern Rockies Regional Municipality, and this land transfer allows them to proactively plan for the future."

Bill Streeper, mayor of the Northern Rockies Regional Municipality -

"We've got a booming economy up here, and it's reflected in the continued growth in air traffic at our airport. That growth is only going to continue as we see oil and gas activities increase in the northeast. Receiving ownership of this additional land around the airport means we can proactively plan for that growth and increase safety for both air traffic and wildlife."

Quick Facts:

• The Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development has yearly allocations to sponsor Crown grants or nominal rent tenures for local governments and community organizations.
• The Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations manages the land transfer process once a sponsoring ministry agrees to sponsor a grant of Crown land.
• The value of the land for this project has been assessed at $776,000 and consists of 972 hectares.

Learn More:

For more information on sponsored Crown grants and nominal rent tenures and links to other sites with information, visit: http://www.cscd.gov.bc.ca/lgd/gov_structure/sponsored_crown_grants/index.htm

Media Contact:

Matt Gordon
Communications Director
Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development
250 953-3677