Provincial Crown Forestlands Element

Who is eligible?

The Province of British Columbia, and Alberta as required, are the recipients of funds transferred from Natural Resources Canada. The provinces may contract out work as approved in the annual plans.

What land is eligible?

Direct control activities to limit the eastward and northward spread under this program element may take place on the following provincial crown forestlands:

in active aggressive suppression beetle management units, and
on forestlands with completed beetle detection surveys.

What can the funding be used for?

Projects funded under the Provincial Crown Forestland Element may include:

Funded Projects 2008/09
Archive Projects 2007/08

mountain pine beetle detection using ground and aerial surveys
preparation of moutain pine beetle management plans and spread threat maps
removal of infected trees and beetle brood destruction
use of prescribed burns to kill infested trees and reduce vulnerable pine stands outside the area of commercial operation, and
monitoring and reporting on direct control project activities.

Activities must:

conduct treatment at a level supported by Canadian Forest Service beetle suppression models
target removal of more than 80% of identified beetle-infested trees in the suppression unit
conduct pre-emptive treatments to reduce beetle habitat only as supported by the Canadian Forest Service beetle threat mapping, and
demonstrate compliance with the necessary environmental review requirements.

Activities that are not eligible under Provincial Crown Forestlands Element projects include:

direct assistance to the forest industry
road construction or deactivation
commercial timber extraction or recovery, and
rehabilitation/reforestation on licensed forest areas.

How is the program delivered?

The Element builds on provincial plans for direct control of the active beetle infestation. Activities are administered by the British Columbia Ministry of Forests and Range and to the Alberta Ministry of Sustainable Resource Development (as deemed necessary). Natural Resources Canada experts review annual work plans for approval and transfer funds upon completion of the work.