Pine Beetle Epidemic

WHEREAS the Pine Beetle epidemic has devastated interior forests, parks and urban landscapes and studies demonstrate that Pine Beetle affected trees burn up to 10 times faster than healthy trees; AND WHEREAS citizens may not have the financial resources to remove pine beetle affected trees on their property, with the consequence of increasing the risk of wildfire in communities: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that UBCM urge the Prime Minister to declare the Pine Beetle epidemic a natural disaster so that funds may be made available through the Provincial Emergency Program for those residents who need assistance with the cost of removing affected trees from private property.