WHEREAS the rapid spread of many varieties of well-established, non-native noxious plant life is one of the most serious threats to ecological processes, agricultural activity, and native plant and animal habitat in the Province of British Columbia, as well as being a serious source of concern to public health and safety; AND WHEREAS new species of invasive, noxious plant life are continuing to be introduced to British Columbia on a regular basis: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Union of BC Municipalities petition the Province of British Columbia commit the necessary resources: a. to educate the people of the Province to recognize new species of noxious plant life that are a threat to their health andor the environment; and b. to enable action to be taken quickly and decisively to combat newly introduced species of noxious plant life before each species spread is rampant and uncontrollable.
Ministry of Environment Government recognizes the importance of managing invasive plant species through public education and management and is responding to the resolution. To date, the Government has formed the Inter-ministry Invasive Plant Committee to follow up on compliance with the Weed Control Act and bringing land-based ministries together for a more coordinated response. The Invasive Plant Panel was an advisory panel for government and produced a comprehensive paper reviewing strategies for management of invasive plant species. A new body, the Invasive Plant Council was formed out of the recommendations of the Fraser Basin Study and plays a role in providing public education and facilitation of government and non-government members in addressing invasive weed issues. Government is also responsible for noxious weed management in Parks and Protected Areas and administers the Integrated Pest Management Act that sets requirements for pest management plans. The intent of government is to provide an early response to new, invasive species before they become a problem and to target manageable species already present. They intend to achieve this through coordinated efforts of the Ministry of Agriculture and Land, Ministry of Forests, Ministry of Environment, and non-government partners. The Ministry of Forests maintains a Provincial Inventory and Treatment database to support the efforts of the Inter-ministry Invasive Plant Committee. Government has increased its commitment to managing noxious weeds through: - increased total funding for invasive plant program expenditures; and - a Memorandum of Support was signed off by the British Columbia Provincial land management ministries endorsing the Fraser Basin Invasive Plant Strategy recommendations including: - contributing funds and expertise to the National Invasive Species Strategy; increased total funding to address weed issues; - a pilot weed control project in the East Kootenays and Northwest Region; and - rural initiatives for 3 years to examine increased biological control.