A Vernon politician questions why the fight against western pine beetle
doesn’t include private property. Coun. Pat Cochrane is concerned the city is only focused on trying to save ponderosa pines on public land while those on private property will be ignored. “Every tree we save is a benefit to the property owners and the community,” he said. The city recently earmarked $62,000 to try and preserve pines on public land, including the cemetery. There has not been a decision on whether funding will be available to residents to save their trees, although the issue is being reviewed by the finance committee. But Cochrane says now is the time for a decision. “It seems like we are on a tight timeline and to bring something back at a future date is too late,” he said. Cochrane would like to see money available to residents to purchase netting that can be placed on their trees. “But there’s not a will from council to go in that direction.” One thing the city is pursuing is a federal government grant so unemployed individuals could be hired to remove wood that has been chopped down by residents. For Cochrane, that means the city has given up on private trees. “We’re going into the end-result of the kill,” he said of cleaning up debris.
While Coun. Buffy Baumbrough isn’t sure if there should be financial assistance, she wants to take the battle against the beetle to private property. “I don’t want to just stop with heritage trees on public property,” she said. “There is a need for public education and information going out to people about what their options are.” The city is currently working on a brochure that would provide residents with information on how to confront the western pine beetle.
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Mar 28 2007 EDITORIAL Beetle strategy missing focus
The City of Vernon deserves credit for launching the battle against western pine beetle, but it’s obvious that it’s not doing everything possible.
That fact was raised by Coun. Pat Cochrane Monday. Cochrane is concerned that while the city is spending $62,000 to try and save ponderosa pines on public property, it is completely ignoring private land. “Every tree we save is a benefit to the property owners and the community,” he said. And with beetles not worried about surveyor’s posts, efforts to protect public trees could be a complete waste of money if infested trees on private land surround them. The finance committee has been handed the task of looking at possible assistance for land owners, but with the beetles set to take flight this spring, time is running out. The urgency of the situation required a decision on private land when the council allotted money to public trees a few weeks ago. The assistance should come in the form of netting residents can wrap around trees, as well as an intensive campaign that makes the public aware of the beetle epidemic and what they can do to safeguard trees that are a vital part of our community. Instead of being at the top of the list, providing residents help to get rid of dead trees should be the last resort. And calls from Councillors Buffy Baumbrough and Barry Beardsell for a regional approach must be taken seriously. Like private property, there is no point in the city spending money on beetle control if Coldstream, the regional district and other jurisdictions are doing nothing. It’s time the City of Vernon developed a comprehensive strategy instead of the current half-measures.
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