$9 million for fight against mountain pine beetle
The Province is continuing its fight against the mountain pine beetle epidemic with a $9-million infusion to help B.C.’s three beetle action coalitions continue their front-line battle.
The three coalitions have been developing and funding projects to help mitigate the current and anticipated economic, environmental and social impacts of the pine beetle epidemic.
Now, the Southern Interior — which includes Nelson, Castlegar, Trail and Grand Forks — Omineca and Cariboo-Chilcotin beetle action coalitions will each receive $3 million over three years to continue these regional efforts.
The mountain pine beetle has already affected an estimated 17.5 million hectares of pine forest, affecting economies and livelihoods all over the province.
Since 2001, the Province has invested more than $756 million to battle the mountain pine beetle, mitigate future impacts and promote regional economic development.
“We’ve made progress on some of the issues associated with the mountain pine beetle epidemic, but we have to remain vigilant,” said Rhona Martin, chair of the Southern Interior Beetle Action Coalition based in Merritt.
Quick facts:
• The life span of an individual mountain pine beetle is about one year.
• The mountain pine beetle in B.C. is as far-ranging as Fort St. John to the north, the Alberta border to the east, Smithers to the west and the United States border to the south.
• The Province and the beetle action coalitions have been working on a number of ways to lessen the impact of the mountain pine beetle epidemic on local economies, including projects that promote community forests and value-added wood production, green energy development, log-home and timber-frame sector expansion, and bio-energy sector development and promotion.
• The three coalitions were first formed in 2005 to help communities lessen the impact of the mountain pine beetle through projects that create partnerships, diversify local economies, restore forest resources and sustain key industries.
Learn more:
• To learn more about the Southern Interior Beetle Action Coalition, go to: www.sibacs.com
• To learn more about the Omineca Beetle Action Coalition, go to: www.ominecacoalition.ca
• To learn more about the Cariboo-Chilcotin Beetle Action Coalition, go to: www.c-cbac.com
