SLAB CITY, Calif.
The dusty compound is cluttered with rusted school buses and wooden shacks. Cacti stud the grounds and Christmas lights drape dried tree stumps. When the wind blows over the nearby Salton Sea, wind chimes serenade as Slab City slumbers.
This Shangri-La of desert weirdness has for years drawn tourists from around the world. Some would stay in one of the dilapidated RV’s rented out by Rodney “Spyder” Wild. It cost only $30, and guests got breakfast and running water.
But even the “last free place in America,” as locals call it, didn’t stand a chance against COVID-19.
SHARING OPTIONS:
One of the themes that emerged during Jo O Hara s discussions with stakeholders was land availability and suitability for forestry. \Donal Magner
Minister of State Pippa Hackett has announced the four chairpersons of the Project Woodland working groups, following a meeting with the project board, chaired by Brendan Gleeson. The board oversees the delivery of Jo O’Hara’s Implementation of the Mackinnon Report.
Stressing the need for urgency, the minister said: “The project board agreed that the working groups should convene immediately to agree deliverables and project milestones.”
The working groups examine key issues identified by O’Hara. The groups will be chaired by: Michael Cantwell, former Director of Enterprise Ireland, Dr Matt Crowe, former director, EPA, Professor Thia Hennessy, chair of Agri-Food Economics, Cork University Business School and Michael Layde, former assistant secretary general, Department
Minister Hackett announces First meeting of Project Woodland Board
The Minister of State in the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Senator Pippa Hackett, has announced that the Project Board which is to oversee the delivery of ‘Project Woodland’ has held its first meeting.
Referring to the meeting which was held yesterday afternoon, the Minister said,
“The speed with which the Project Board and the Chairs of the Working Groups have come together is a clear indication of the sense of urgency and commitment which my Department and stakeholders are bringing to Project Woodland. We must both resolve current difficulties in the forestry sector and revitalise the creation of woodland in Ireland. I believe that this project with its dedicated project management structure will help us do that. I am particularly grateful to the independent members who have agreed to help us as either part of the Project Board or Chairs of the Working Groups. Projec
Secretary General of the Department of Agriculture Brendan Gleeson will chair the board. \ Philip Doyle
The board which is to oversee the delivery of Project Woodland has held its first meeting, Minister of State in the Department of Agriculture Senator Pippa Hackett has announced.
The project has been put together to resolve current difficulties in the forestry sector and revitalise the creation of woodland in Ireland.
“The speed with which the project board and the chairs of the working groups have come together is a clear indication of the sense of urgency and commitment which my Department and stakeholders are bringing to Project Woodland,” Minister Hackett said.