Feds Cough Up $100 million to Stop an Eastern March of Beetles

Monday, September 19, 2005 06:20 PM

The Federal Government has come across with $100 million dollars in what it calls a "down payment" for dealing with the Mountain Pine Beetle. The money is to go towards a three year plan to prevent the beetle from crossing the Rockies and making the spread east to the Canadian shield.

Premier Gordon Campbell noted there are 1.15 trillion beetles in the province, "That's 273 thousand beetles for every man woman and child in the province" says the Premier.

The plan now is to try and develop some buffer zones to prevent the beetle's spread. The Premier says some of the hundred million will be used for harvesting, some of the money will be used to develop new markets for the blue streaked pine. "There is economic value in the mountain pine beetle wood " says the Premier. The challenge is to seize the opportunities to market the product.

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Posted on Monday, September 19, 2005 06:20 PM in News by 250 News

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Comments

Posted by: gypsy on September 19 2005 7:14 PM

I really do not want my beetles-thank you very much!!
I like to share.
I would like to take this opporunity to donate mine to whoever wants to get rid of their wood and then won't have to get a cutting permit.
Be my guest!!!!

Posted by: owl on September 20 2005 1:04 AM

From the linked page below:

"Recognizing the seriousness of the situation, in March 2005, BC and Alberta agreed to work together and share costs in managing mountain pine beetle populations in BC's Peace Forest District to minimize the potential for beetle infestations moving eastward into forested areas of Alberta."

It then goes on to say:

"In addition to the province's funding plan, BC received a commitment of $100 million from the federal government in March 2005 to help meet costs to combat the pine beetle spread and mitigate damage."

I think it is time that someone keep an account of all the money committed to ensure that there is no duplication. It sound to me there mighgt be some duplication here, but I am not sure.

http://www.bcbudget.gov.bc.ca/bfp/6_tb_Mountain_Pine_Beetle.htm

Wonder if anyone is working with the USA to stop the beetle at the southern border. Maybe that is why the US vigilantes are moving into the border controlling function. *S*

Posted by: acrider54 on September 20 2005 6:19 AM

Well that's really nice of them, where were they when we in BC got hit! Just like any Liberal governement sit back until it comes close to the big cities and provinces.