A Vernon politician is increasingly frustrated that enough isn’t being done to slow the spread of pine beetle. Coun. Pat Cochrane is increasingly of the view that the city has given up trying to save ponderosa pines, especially on private property. “I still have the impression that we’re doing way too little, too late,” he said during Monday’s council meeting. Council supported a staff recommendation that the city not launch a job creation program that would remove infected trees and dispose of them. A certified arborist had urged council two weeks ago that the federally funded program would help slow the infestation. The arborist had suggested the program could cost the city about $700 a day for 12 to 15 workers. Such a program has been in place in Kelowna for the last three years. Vernon city staff is suggesting that such an initiative could be funded in 2008 but Cochrane fears that may be too late. “We’ve accepted that they’ll be killed by beetles and next year we’ll help dispose of the trees,” he said. On Monday, council also agreed to spend $5,000 on an advertising campaign so residents have information about the pine beetle and what action they can take personally. But Coun. Barry Beardsell questioned how effective the expenditure will be. “I can’t see advertising on radio or in the newspaper doing anything unless an emergency arises,” he said.
No comments:
Post a Comment