Adding a three-kilometre trail connecting to the Horn River Light Industrial Park will increase recreation opportunities for employees and families working in the Fort Nelson area announced Pat Pimm, MLA for Peace River North today on behalf of Community, Sport and Cultural Development Minister Bill Bennett.

This 20-hectare Crown land grant to the Northern Rockies Regional Municipality includes a three-kilometre strip of trail adjacent to the industrial park and which is also accessible to nearby neighbourhoods. The industrial park is an important part of local infrastructure, needed to service manufacturing, supply and commercial operations related to the area’s natural resources, forestry, agriculture and tourism industries.

The area’s natural resources are particularly significant in the Horn River Basin just north of Fort Nelson, which is estimated to have upwards of 75 trillion cubic feet of recoverable natural gas reserves. Liquefied Natural Gas export potential is expected to generate thousands of jobs and billions of dollars in new investment in northeast British Columbia.

Quotes:

Pat Pimm, MLA for Peace River North -

“The growth this region experiences as a result of oil and gas activities over the next decade will be phenomenal. In the midst of this increased economic activity, it’s important to consider the needs of the families and workers living here. Investments in recreational parkland like this are an important component of building communities.”

Bill Streeper, mayor of the Northern Rockies Regional Municipality -

“There’s a huge amount of economic activity happening in our municipality as a result of our abundant natural resources. We’re experiencing heavy growth, which is only going to intensify as shale gas development ramps up. It’s important to consider the needs of our current and future residents and this land will allow us to expand our Community Trail network to increase recreational opportunities available to folks living and working in Fort Nelson.”

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 $280,000 and transfers 22 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