Funding Assistance to Private Landowners for Removal of Pine Beetle Infested Trees

WHEREAS Council for the District of Sparwood supports the cities of Kamloops, Prince George and Kelowna in their attempt to have the Government of Canada provide emergency funding to reduce the wildfire risk on private property caused by the pine beetle epidemic; AND WHEREAS there have been federal and provincial funds made available to mitigate the effect of the Mountain and Western Pine Beetle infestation on public lands, but there is also an urgent need to assist private landowners; AND WHEREAS many residents affected by this natural disaster are elderly or unable to afford the cost of tree removal, and having dead trees remaining next to their homes increases the risk of wildfire to themselves, their neighbours and the community: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Union of BC Municipalities appeal to the provincial government to lobby the Government of Canada to provide funding to private landowners for the removal of beetle-infested trees on their properties.