Council Approves Bowing Out of CFA Expansion Plan
Tuesday, May 14, 2013 @ 3:57 AM
Prince George, B.C. – City Council has approved pulling out of a plan to expand the Community Forest Agreement.
The dangers that can be posed by a wildfire on lands outside the City of Prince George boundaries, were very apparent on Friday.
A fire in the northwest in the Pilot Mountain area, and one south east ( Buckhorn) whipped through numerous hectares of land before being contained. In the case of the Buckhorn area fire, two homes were under evacuation order, and 4 others were on evacuation alert.
It was concern for that kind of wildly raging fire that caused the City of Prince George, Regional District and Lheidli T’enneh to join forces in an effort to expand the City’s Community Forest Licence. If approved, the expanded Community Forest Agreement (CFA) would have provided an opportunity to clear Crown lands of dead and dying fuel to help prevent the spread of fire, should there be one.
The 3 parties signed a memorandum of understanding in October of 2010, aimed at achieving that CFA expansion.
In the wake of that signing, there were several meetings held with the four Farmer’s Institutes, the local Cattlemen Association with hopes of gaining support from the local agricultural community. In a report to City Council staff say that “buy in” was critical to the success of the proposed expansion because most of the lands needing clearing are designated “Agriculture Development Lands” .
The agriculture community has rejected the idea. According to the staff report, the main issue is one of “trust”. Staff say “there were fears and concerns about an additional layer of control and management over these lands, particularly with the City’s involvement.”
Prince George Community Forest Manager Dan Adamson says since the Regional District and Lheidli T’enneh both have connections with the rural community, it is possible they will be able to work out something, but not if the City continues to be involved. The City has spent between $40 and $50 thousand dollars on a consultant’s report and a business case. The funds for those expenditures had been provided through grants.
The Regional District and Lheidli T’enneh are examining their own options for a Community Forest Agreement. It’s expected the Regional District will put something before it’s Board of Directors in June or July.
Comments
There is a trust issue with the PG city council???? Imagine that.
Why would an unsustainable project such as the Canada Winter Games have the need of a Manager of Sustainable Projects?
I would like to know whatsome of those are and who has the responsibility of making sure they actually are sustainable after the Games.
“The funds for those expenditures had been provided through taxes.”
There, I fixed that for you!
Not trusting city hall. So surprising given their track record over the past year and a half.
I would like to see a program to clear trees that block some world class view locations that PG has. So many locations in PG that have overgrown trees blocking the fantastic view-scape. It really cuts into the quality of life in the city when one is denied what other cities would gladly promote.
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