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VICTORIA – BC Parks will be implementing a forest management project in Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park commencing April 10, 2007. Public access will be restricted in some areas of the Park during this time to ensure public safety.
Forest management in Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park is required to reduce public safety hazards as a result of the western pine beetle, and for the removal of forest fuels to reduce the risk of wildfires.
Management actions will include the
falling and burning of dead and dying hazard trees and bark beetle infested
ponderosa pine along trails, near parking lots and in day use areas.
In an attempt to preserve several of the larger ponderosa pine trees from beetle infestation in high use areas of the Park, BC Parks will also carry out single tree protection efforts on selected trees. The total cost for the forest management project at Kalamalka Lake Park is approximately $15,000.
BC Parks is also conducting fuel
management activities in other parks in the Okanagan Region including Fintry
and Ellison Provincial Parks, and White Lake Grasslands Protected Area. The total cost for the forest management
projects at Ellison and Fintry provincial parks is approximately $160,000.
BC Parks is working closely with the
Ministry of Forests and Range to reduce beetle spread and to minimize interface
wildfire risks. As recommended in the Filmon Report, fuel reduction programs are
required to decrease the risk of wildfire to communities and developments
adjacent to parks and to prevent damage to park ecosystems from high intensity
fires.
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contact: |
BC Parks Area Supervisor North Okanagan 250 490-8266 |
Section Head Parks and Protected Areas 250 490-8200 |
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