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VANDERHOOF – British Columbia’s mountain pine beetle updated action plan released today at Open Cabinet calls for expressions of interest to find new markets for beetle-damaged wood.
“We have been working aggressively to open new markets for beetle-affected wood, but clearly as the epidemic continues, we need to expand those efforts,” said Minister of State for Forestry Operations Roger Harris. “We now need to find even more markets for this wood while it still has value. We are seeking innovative uses for beetle wood, such as oriented strand board production, pellet manufacturing, and power co-generation, so that we can realize the greatest economic benefit from this epidemic.”
The updated action plan for the mountain pine beetle calls for: · Removal and logging of beetle-killed trees; · Expediting timber supply reviews; · Implementing forest health-related recommendations from the Filmon fire review; · Supporting and encouraging economic diversification in affected communities; and · Creating new markets and demand for beetle-killed wood.
Premier Gordon Campbell convened a special symposium in November 2003 to re-examine the mountain pine beetle problem and look for ways to lessen its future impacts to British Columbia. The updated action plan incorporates several of the suggestions and recommendations coming out of that symposium.
“The complexion of the mountain pine beetle infestation has changed significantly over the last few years,” said Forests Minister Michael de Jong. “It has grown to such an extent that we need to look at the economic consequences down the road. This updated plan will help support and encourage economic diversification in those communities most affected by the epidemic.”
Harris will lead a full-time, two-year government Bark Beetle Task Force to oversee implementation of the action plan and its elements for economic diversification and beetle management planning. The task force will be supported and counselled by a minister’s community advisory group. The advisory group consists of representatives from the forest industry, communities, academia, First Nations, environmental organizations and the federal government.
“This updated action plan gives us much-needed support, and provides us with the encouragement necessary to turn a potentially dire situation into new opportunities for economic gain,” said Rosanne Murray, chair, Bulkley Nechako Regional District.
“The updated action plan calls for both the continuation of strategies that focus on the detection and removal of trees on the leading edge of the infestation as well as commencement of salvage strategies in those areas where the epidemic has passed through,” said Doug Routledge, Council of Forest Industries. “Implementing both of these measures together is critical to mitigating the timber supply and economic development impacts that British Columbia will be coping with 15 to 20 years down the road.”
British Columbia’s mountain pine beetle epidemic has been described as the worst-ever insect infestation in a North American forest. The total area attacked by the mountain pine beetle now measures about 4.2 million hectares, more than double what it was in 2002. The infestation is expected to have future economic implications for 30 communities around the province, with 25,000 families having their livelihoods impacted.
For more information on the mountain pine beetle, visit http://www.gov.bc.ca/for.
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