PLAN FOR PINE BEETLE DOLLARS RELEASED

VICTORIA – Federal funds aimed at helping B.C. respond to the mountain pine beetle epidemic will be used to help communities plan for the future, Premier Gordon Campbell and Forests and Range Minister Rich Coleman announced today.

The Mountain Pine Beetle Emergency Response: Canada-B.C. Implementation Strategy is a three-year business plan for the $100 million received from the federal government to mitigate the effects of the pine beetle attack.

“The pine beetle epidemic is the worst natural disaster ever to hit our forests,” said Campbell. “It’s a huge challenge for all levels of government – federal, provincial, and local. That’s why we need unprecedented cross-governmental co-operation, including local community solutions, and that’s why we have and will continue to dedicate unprecedented resources to assist in this effort.”

“This government is committed to helping the people of the Interior plan for their future after the pine beetle in 10 to 15 years time,” said Coleman. “These funds from the federal government are in addition to the $101 million the Province has dedicated over the next three years.”

Spending is focused on priority areas of interest identified by the federal government and based on the objectives outlined in the provincial Mountain Pine Beetle Action Plan. The September 2005 implementation strategy suggests that funding be targeted in these areas:

· Fuel management treatments for communities and First Nations located in mountain pine beetle-infested areas: $24.8 million;

· Controlling the beetle’s spread in parks and areas along the outer edges of the infestation: $24.4 million;

· Economic development and diversification planning for impacted communities and First Nations: $13.2 million;

· Research and development of new wood products and markets, and research to assist forest management decision-making: $13 million;

· Forest cover data to assist forest management decision-making: $10.9 million;

· Ecosystem restoration: $7 million;

· Management of range issues: $4.5 million; and

· Co-ordination and administration: $2.2 million.

The Province will seek advice from First Nations on the implementation strategy at a forum being held Sept. 19-20 in Prince George. About 80 First Nations are expected to attend the forum, to consider the strategy and receive an update of the provincial and federal programs in place to mitigate the impacts of the mountain pine beetle.

Both the provincial action plan and the federal funding implementation strategy will be updated annually to reflect current and changing economic and environmental conditions, First Nations and stakeholder input, and the latest scientific and technical information.

“We are committed to working with First Nations, communities, the forest industry and the federal government in dealing with the mountain pine beetle issue,” said Coleman.

“One of my first actions as Premier in 2001 was to appoint an MLA task force to highlight the importance of the pine beetle epidemic to all of B.C. and recommend immediate actions to combat the infestation,” said Campbell. “Since then, we have appointed a beetle boss, streamlined regulations to increase harvesting of infested timber, and created a Northern Development Initiative to create new economic opportunities, both within the forest industry and in other sectors. The fight against the pine beetle has been and will continue to be a top priority of our government.”

Visit www.for.gov.bc.ca/hfp/mountain_pine_beetle/ for more information and a copy of the Mountain Pine Beetle Emergency Response: Canada-B.C. Implementation Strategy.

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2 backgrounder(s) attached.
Media contact:	Mike Morton Press Secretary Office of the Premier 250 213-8218	Don McDonald Communications Director Ministry of Forests and Range 250 387-8486

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