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For The Record

THE FACTS ABOUT MOUNTAIN PINE BEETLE RESPONSE

September 15, 2008
Ministry of Community Development
 

British Columbia’s mountain pine beetle infestation is without precedent, but the forest sector and communities that depend on forestry will continue to flourish despite the epidemic.  To date, the province has committed more than $640 million in the fight against the pine beetle: 

  • Restoring the forests in areas affected by the beetle is a top priority. To date, more than $160 million has been committed to the Forests for Tomorrow reforestation program to ensure B.C. continues to have a long-term timber supply.
  • The Province is providing communities and First Nations with economic development funding and support. This includes $30 million specifically for pine beetle mitigation from the $185 million Northern Development Initiative Trust, helping northern communities diversify their economies.
  • Similarly, a $50-million Southern Interior Development Initiative Trust is helping southern communities create new opportunities for economic growth, within the epidemic area.
  • Investments in other sectors such as mining, agriculture, recreation, tourism and energy are diversifying local economies and stimulating economic growth. For example, Geoscience BC started with a $25 million provincial grant and has invested $9 million to date to help unlock the central interior’s mineral potential as well as for oil and gas exploration.
  • The pine beetle outbreak is expected to create new opportunities in the emerging bioenergy industry. The Ministry of Forests and Range is working closely with BC Hydro and the Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources to complete a two-phase process for securing electricity generated from wood biomass.
  • Beetle-impacted highways, forest service roads, and roads in rural municipalities are being rehabilitated. More than $120 million has been committed to mitigating impacts to the transportation network due to increased logging truck traffic.
  • Early detection and removal of infested trees in areas susceptible to attack has helped to limit and slow the spread of the infestation.
  • Allowable annual cuts have been increased to recover more economic value from attacked forests. The Chief Forester continues to review allowable annual cuts on an as-needed basis for affected timber supply areas.
  • Interface areas are being managed to increase public safety and to protect communities and people from the threat of wildfire.
  • We’re researching and developing new markets and product uses for beetle-attacked timber. Forestry Innovation Investment Ltd. is carrying out numerous fibre quality, manufacturing process, product development, and market development projects as part of its mountain pine beetle research program.
  • Ongoing research projects with the federal government and universities are also enabling forest managers to better understand the mountain pine beetle and its environmental and economic impacts, and to inform future actions.
  • The Mountain Pine Beetle Action Plan guides provincial responses and helps coordinate all levels of government, communities, industries and stakeholders working to mitigate impacts of the pine beetle. It addresses forestry and environmental issues as well as economic, social and cultural sustainability.
  • A Mountain Pine Beetle Emergency Response Division has been appointed to help coordinate the provincial response and is working directly with communities, regional districts, First Nations, and stakeholder groups via the Cariboo-Chilcotin, Omineca, and Southern Interior beetle action coalitions.