British Columbia’s Mountain Pine Beetle Action Plan 2005–2010

Objective #7

Maintain a project management structure that ensures co-ordinated and effective planning and implementation of mitigation measures.

Responding to the impacts of such a widespread epidemic involves a diverse group of organizations. Within the provincial government, several ministries have signed on to this plan and in 2006/07 will make adjustments to their service plans in order to address the timber recovery and forest management challenges created by the epidemic. Others will have to develop a response to the immediate and longer term economic and social challenges in their service plans.

Although the provincial government plays a key role in leading the response to the epidemic, all levels of government as well as community groups and industries will play an important part in its success. The actions identified under this objective will help to ensure that:

• Strong leadership and support is provided by the provincial government;
• Activities are coordinated within and between governments; and
• Key stakeholders have input to plans and priorities at a strategic level.

Ongoing Actions:

1. Provide leadership and direction through the Minister of Forests and the Premier’s Office.

The Minister of Forests will lead the provincial government’s efforts on behalf of Cabinet.

2. Solicit broad stakeholder input through the Minister’s Community Advisory Group.

The Advisory Group is comprised of senior representatives of the primary stakeholder groups. The Minister’s Community Advisory Group provides input into the various aspects of government’s mountain pine beetle action plan. A full list of members is available at www.for.gov.bc.ca/hfp/mountain_pine_beetle/.

3. Implement a coordinated approach between all levels of government, including federal, local and First Nations.

The Province will work with other governments at the leadership and operational levels to ensure programs and priorities are aligned and complementary.

4. Assure inter-ministry coordination through the Deputy Ministers’ Committee on Environment and Resource Development, and the Deputy Minister’s Committee on Healthy Communities and Safety.

Within the provincial government, a coordinated response to issues and appropriate distribution of responsibilities and resources between ministries will take place at the highest level. Deputy Ministers will ensure that service plans and ministry actions reflect the Government’s commitment.

5. Coordinate the implementation of provincial government activities through an Assistant Deputy Minister responsible for a Mountain Pine Beetle Task Force.

Senior staff will work closely with government organizations, industries, communities and First Nations and other stakeholders to coordinate implementation of the strategies and address issue that arise.

6. Zone the infested and susceptible areas to ensure that forestry mitigation measures taken are suitable and feasible for the local circumstances.

Infested and susceptible forest areas will be included within the Emergency Bark Beetle Management Area (EBBMA). Broad zones (Emergency Management Units – EMU) will be established under the Forest Planning and Practices Regulation of the Forest and Range Practices Act to identify where aggressive and sanitation timber management responses will be carried out. Operations conducted by the forest industry will be expected to apply the best management practices for the area and circumstances. Monitoring will be carried out to determine whether strategies are being implemented and assess their success over time.

7. Apply timber administration and pricing consistently in areas with similar circumstances.

The Government will closely monitor Forest Act licences and stumpage rates and ensure mitigation strategies are implemented equitably.

8. Work with forest companies and forest industry associations to manage and implement solutions.

Forest companies play an important role in all aspects of managing the forests, utilizing the damaged timber and generating economic activities with affected communities. They will play a key role in implementation of many of the actions aimed at dealing with the impacts of the epidemic.

9. Work with stakeholders to communicate about the epidemic and mitigation measures.

B.C. remains committed to managing to high environmental standards and sustainable forest management. Communications initiatives will be undertaken to ensure members of the public and international forest products customers have accurate information.

10. Investigate the feasibility of a long-term fund to support mitigation and recovery activities.

Some mitigation measures may require resources outside of regular government or private sector programs. An assessment will be carried out to determine if and how a fund should be established to assist with the cost of these measures. (Examples of these extraordinary measures might be: ecosystem restoration, community transition planning, or public infrastructure). The Province will work with the federal government on this matter.

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