Federal pine beetle dollars
Written by Elaine Storey | Vanderhoof Omineca Express
30 December 2008
From left Denis Wood - Nechako Retreat, Lionel Cathcart - Tachick Lake Resort, Jennifer Sing - HSP Ranch, Barry MIlls - Tatel Kuz Lake Ranch & Resort, MP Dick Harris, Dan Brooks Pres. UNWV, Elizabeth Doerij - Nechako Lodge, Ken & Debbie Still - Tatuk Lake Resort.
MP Dick Harris was in Vanderhoof on a frosty Friday one week before Christmas, delivering riches and good cheer. Harris had a huge cheque to hand over to the Upper Nechako Wilderness Council (UNWC) to grow new industry in light of the Mountain Pine Beetle.
The funding of $136,000 is intended to augment economic opportunities in the wilderness tourism industry. Funding is provided under the Community Economic Diversification Initiative (CEDI), a component of the federal Mountain Pine Beetle Program, through Western Economic Diversification Canada.
The three-phase initiative will increase tourism and international exposure, implement a marketing strategy and develop a signage program directing visitors to local attractions. Harris said of the funding, “The Conservative government is committed to help forest-dependant communities mitigate the effects of the Pine Beetle.”
“This project will establish Vanderhoof as a tourism destination and promote the wilderness resources of our community,” said Daniel Brooks, president and chair of the UNWC.
Brooks added that he wants Vanderhoof to be the reason that people drive down Highway 16. “Tourism creates community spirit and community pride, and through our wilderness attractions, we want to sell Vanderhoof to the world,” said an excited Brooks, who met with his committee following the cheque presentation.
Barry Mills of the Tatel Kuz Lake Ranch and Resort, a member of the UNWV, said they’ve been surrounded by the pine beetle for 16 or 17 years. When asked how the beetle has changed the forest he said in the positive they are seeing elk, golden eagles, magpies and snow geese - all species they never saw before. But, the Kokanee have gone from the streams. Mills said that one big tree ‘known to him,’ has just lately toppled over. “And, the roots were so dry you could snap them in half with your hands.” Mills has watched firsthand the devastation of the Mountain Pine Beetle and claims while it’s not a new thing in the province, they need to look past it now and plan for the future.
With this investment, the UNWC will hire a consultant to study wilderness tourism opportunities and develop a strategy for the council to promote tourism related activities within the Vanderhoof Forest District Region.
Prior to the announcement Harris commented briefly on the upcoming federal budget announcement on Jan. 26. As chair of the B.C. caucus, Harris said they have been providing the feds with their pre-budget input. “We’ll be present at the budget announcement, and go from there,” said Harris.
He went on to say they knew something was up prior to the announced coalition. Jack Layton initiated it and got the rest involved in what Harris calls the, “unholiest of alliances.”
“We never for a moment thought the Governor General would go for it. It’s a done deal,” he said about the proposed coalition government. Harris says that Canadians traditionally vote for their government, and he doesn’t see that changing any time soon.
