Port Clements is to be nominated the 2004 forest capital of BC, the QCI Chamber of Commerce decided last week.
The chamber received an application package for the honour from the Association of BC Professional Foresters, and decided when it met August 14 in Tlell to submit Port's name.
The award was established in the 1920's, and recognizes and celebrates the valuable role forests play in the economic and environmental health of the province. "This yearly designation is a chance for communities around the province to celebrate their forest history, forest achievements and forest future," according to the foresters association.
However, Port Clements council decided not to apply on its own behalf to be the forest capital, saying it sounds like a lot of work for nothing.
"We're a perfect example of a forest capital," said councillor Gerry Johnson Monday night (Aug. 18), after reviewing the application package. "Everybody's out of work and we have no money."
Councillor Jukka Efraimsson said the title might be worth competing for if it came with a large cash award, otherwise the work of completing the lengthy application wouldn't be worthwhile.
"If it came with a million dollar prize, maybe," he said.
However, the only prize is the honour of being named BC Forest Capital. In fact, it could be costly. The winner is expected to host an opening ceremony, put a forest capital web site in place, and organize activities to mark national forest week in May.
Past forest capitals include Terrace, Port McNeill and Powell River. Last year's winner was Houston, for the second time.