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WILLIAMS
LAKE – Next summer, the Province will
plant 3.2 million tree seedlings in the Williams Lake and Quesnel areas in
response to the mountain pine beetle epidemic, adding to the significant amount
of reforestation being conducted by forest companies, announced Forests and
Range Minister Rich Coleman.
“We’re focusing on restoring
ecosystems that have been affected by the mountain pine beetle,” said Coleman.
“By planting trees in locations that are not being commercially harvested, we
are addressing environmental needs, like water flow and animal habitat, and
growing a future timber supply.”
In
2008, an estimated 4,000 hectares will be planted by the Province in the
Williams Lake and Quesnel timber supply areas. Preparation of planting sites,
including danger tree falling, will occur this summer. As well, another 8,000
hectares of beetle-attacked stands will be surveyed during 2007 in preparation
for planting in future years.
B.A.
Blackwell and Associates will administer the reforestation activities within
the Williams Lake and Quesnel timber supply areas. The work will be performed
by both private contractors and First Nations.
“This
is just the beginning of our reforestation efforts in the Cariboo,” said
Coleman. “We’ve done the mapping and the planning, and ordered the seedlings.
Now we are ready to get going on the ground.”
In British Columbia, areas
that are commercially harvested must be reforested. As a result of pine beetle salvage
harvesting, it’s estimated that forest companies will plant about 12.6 million
seedlings in the Williams Lake timber supply area and 26.5
million seedlings in the Quesnel area in 2007.
In
2005, the Province established the reforestation program Forests for Tomorrow
to reforest the areas hardest hit by the mountain pine beetle epidemic and the
2003 and 2004 wildfires. The majority of the initial $161-million fund will pay
for tree seed and seedlings, site preparation and planting. Funds will also go
towards fertilization, planning, mapping, research and monitoring.
Restoring forest resources is a key objective of the
Mountain Pine Beetle Action Plan, the Province’s strategic response to dealing
with the impacts of the infestation, and ensuring sustainability for forests,
communities and the provincial economy. For more
information on the updated Mountain Pine Beetle Action Plan, visit www.gov.bc.ca/pinebeetle.
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Public Affairs Officer 250 387-4592 |
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