Prince George, B.C.- The Omineca Beetle Action Coalition is taking the next step in trying to implement it’s strategies for economic recovery and diversity in the wake of the Mountain Pine Beetle epidemic.

 

The Coalition has developed several strategies complete with action plans. The Action plans carry a total of 42 recommendations and 246 “actions”. The Coalition says it spend the next several months actively working with the other levels of government, regionally based groups and industries to see implementation of as many of the recommendations and  actions as is feasible.

 

There have already been some meetings with senior officials in the Provincial Ministries and with local organizations to identify partnership opportunities and common priorities.  Coalition Chair, Don Bassermann,  is aware of the funding challenges that lie ahead, “While public funding may be tight, and we can’t realistically expect to do everything right away, there is plenty that can be done now if we work together.”

 

Coalition Vice-Chair Cress Farrow, Mayor of Smithers says individual communities and organizations in the region are beginning to use the strategies and recommended actions as a starting point for the development of their own specific plans and priorities. “We’re also pleased to see aspects of the strategies beginning to be addressed in senior government programs.”