About 340,000 hectares of forest within the Prince George area has been infested by the Spruce Beetle according to the Regional District of Fraser-Fort George.
The population of the beetle is expected to spike causing concern for groups like the RDFFG.
“It is a concern on the effect it will have on spruce trees and within the regional district as well as the effect on an allowable annual cut in the long-term,” says Art Kaehn, Director.
“Representatives from the Ministry of Forestry and Natural Resources also gave us an update on the Spruce Beetle epidemic mostly north of Prince George but is also in the Robson Valley.”
During last week’s board meeting, the Regional District also renewed its 9-1-1 service agreement for five more years with the Cariboo Regional District.
“The service has been in place since the early 90’s with part of the Cariboo Regional District and then later in the 2000s’ engaged in an agreement with the CRD and this is actually a renewal,” added Kaehn.
They will provide call taking and fire dispatch communication services.
The value of the contract is $2.29 million dollars.