WHEREAS the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure has established the Highways Fencing Program for ranchers to apply for funding to erect fencing along primary highways to reduce the risk of their livestock being on the highway; however, funding is not available for fencing of secondary highways or for maintenance of existing fencing; AND WHEREAS many ranchers suffer economically and motorists are injured or killed when livestock enter onto highways, including secondary highways: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that UBCM lobby the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure to broaden the criteria for the Highways Fencing Program eligibility to include secondary highways and to provide funding for maintenance of existing fencing, which will increase the safety of the motoring public and will address the economic hardship that ranchers face when their cattle are killed on highways including secondary highways.
Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure recognizes the importance of livestock fencing and is committed to continuing to work with communities and livestock owners to ensure the safety of travellers and livestock. The first phase of the provincial highway fencing program was completed between 2004 and 2007 with over 558km of new fence construction at a value of over 9.3 million. In 2009, the government announced the Provincial Livestock Fencing Project with an additional 10 million allocated for fencing improvements over a 6 year period. The ministry is working closely with the BC Cattlemens Association BCCA to implement this program. The ministry can confirm that cattle fencing along both primary and secondary highways, as well as along major railway corridors, is eligible for funding under this project. In only the second year of the Project, applications have already been received for over 400km of secondary highway fencing. This is in addition to over 550km on major routes and 250km along railways. Over 93 km of fencing was constructed last year, and a similar amount has been tendered for this year. When reviewing applications, the program considers factors such as traffic volumes, traffic speed, livestock numbers and fence condition which all contribute to an assessment of risk for both travellers and livestock. Based on these factors, candidate projects with the highest risk and most safety benefits are prioritized for funding. Projects are selected based on an assessment by the BCCA and the ministry. While ongoing fence maintenance is the responsibility of the livestock owner, and there are no funds available within the fencing project to fund ongoing maintenance, local ministry offices will, where funding permits, make fencing supplies available, such as fence wire and posts to aid ranchers in highway fence repair and upkeep.