Experts estimated the timber losses from the summer’s wildfires at close to one year of the Provincial Annual Allowable Cut and up to six to 10 years of the ACC in Cariboo management units this week.
Jeff Mycock, chief forester for BC Operations of West Fraser Mills Ltd., and Tom Hoffman, manager at Tolko Industries Ltd. spoke to the Cariboo Regional District Board at a meeting last week on the timber losses suffered.
They also spoke about the potential impacts of these losses.
Other estimates indicate hat approximately 24 per cent of the burned timber in the Cariboo can be salvaged.
This was just one of the highlights from the CRD meetings this week.
2018 Central Cariboo Grants Approved
The CRD moved to approve funding for 10 Grants for Assistance applications in the Central Cariboo last week.
The grants will total $45, 750 and were approved on the recommendation of the Central Cariboo Rural Directors Caucus.
A request for a grant for $1,000 to the Wildwood Community and Recreation Association was also approved. The association means to purchase recognition plaques for the members of the Wildwood Volunteer Fire Department.
The Hun City Mountain Bike Club and the Stampede Whirlaways Square Dance Club were among the other recipients of Grants for Assistance at last week’s meeting.
2018 Provisional Budgets Reviewed
At a finance meeting on Nov. 16, the CRD Board of Directors reviewed the provisional Business Plans and Budget. The budget will be revised and brought back in December for adoption, although the final adoption of the budget will take place in March 2018, once the public has had a chance to review it.
For those interested in reviewing the documents, they will be posted on the CRD website after the revision meeting on Dec. 15.
South Cariboo cemeteries function established
The CRD board has voted to establish a South Cariboo cemeteries function that will support the operating costs of the 100 Mile House Cemetery.
In order to accomplish this, there will be a 59 cent per $100,000 tax rate on the assessed value of land and improvements for all of Electoral Areas G, H, and L.
Union Agreement Ratified
Updates to a new union agreement between the CRD and the B.C. Government and Services Employees’ Union will include an increased shift premium, increased benefits coverage and paid days off during Christmas office closures.
The BCGEU and the CRD have ratified the collective agreement for 2016-2020.
New Recovery Manager in Place
The CRD is pleased to announce that they have hired a Recovery Manager. Stephanie Masun will take the position and can be contacted at 1-866-759-4977 or recovery@cariboord.ca.
Chair and vice-chair elected
Margo Wagner from Electoral Area H was elected to serve the CRD as board chair for 2018 by the board of directors last week.
The board also re-elected John Massier from Electoral Area C as vice-chair for 2018. He has served in this position since 2016.
The next CRD meeting will take place on Friday, Dec. 15.
