Kevin Falcon is pledging millions of dollars towards funding and reforming fish and wildlife management in the province, as the fall election looms in October.
The B.C. United leader announced $100 million towards revitalizing declining wildlife species populations and habitats, as part of a larger $200 million strategy developed by industry stakeholders to manage B.C.B次元官网网址檚 natural fish and wildlife resources.
B次元官网网址淥ur plan sets a gold standard for conservation,B次元官网网址� said Falcon, in a news release. B次元官网网址淚t ensures that future generations will enjoy and cherish B.C.B次元官网网址檚 natural beauty just as we do today. We are putting real value on our wildlife, and we are taking decisive, science-based actions to preserve our biodiversity.B次元官网网址�
The funding will be tied to a new independent agency to be managed by title holders and wildlife and habitat stakeholders. Under the new model, the intent is to maximize provincial funds by attracting support from NGOs, local governments and businesses, among other potential revenue sources.
B次元官网网址淲ith this historic investment, weB次元官网网址檙e not just pledging funds, we are committing to a complete transformation in how we manage our natural heritage,B次元官网网址� said B.C. United MLA Tom Shypitka, who represents Kootenay East. B次元官网网址淭his is about ensuring that every dollar from hunting and angling licenses is reinvested directly into the wildlife and habitats that make British Columbia so unique.B次元官网网址�
The B.C. United plan commits to restructuring government oversight of natural resources by centralizing fish, wildlife and habitat management within a dedicated ministry. It also includes elements that will address urgent concerns such as Chronic Wasting Disease, invasive species and wildfire risks.
B次元官网网址淭his isnB次元官网网址檛 just an investment in fish and wildlife. ItB次元官网网址檚 an investment in the future of British Columbia,B次元官网网址� said Falcon. B次元官网网址淏y reforming our approach to environmental management, weB次元官网网址檙e taking a critical step towards preserving our provinceB次元官网网址檚 ecological integrity and biodiversity.B次元官网网址�
Advocates from groups such as the BC Wildlife Federation have been seeking changes to the provinceB次元官网网址檚 wildlife management framework, specifically a funding and governance model independent of government, B次元官网网址攕imilar to game commissions in the United States B次元官网网址� as well as legislated targeted objectives and ensuring public access to public lands.
At a BCWF town hall in Cranbrook earlier in May, executive director Jesse Zeman said the province was earmarking just over $30 million for wildlife management, when that figure needs to be upwards of $200 million.
Wildlife management has hit close to home in the southern interior of B.C. with two test-positive cases of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) confirmed near Cranbrook in January.
Chronic Wasting Disease affects cervids such as deer, elk, moose and caribou, caused by a prion protein, which is transmitted through saliva, urine, feces, carcasses and even plant and soil. It is fatal to wildlife, and while thereB次元官网网址檚 no direct evidence that it can be transmitted to humans, public health guidance notes people shouldnB次元官网网址檛 consume an animal infected with the disease.
