$40,000 FOR NORTHERN ROCKIES REGIONAL MUNICIPALITY FOR WEED CONTROL

FORT ST. JOHN – Two regional districts in the Peace Region are receiving $82,500 from the BC Government to help control the spread of invasive plants. The Northern Rockies Regional Municipality is receiving $40,400 and the Peace River Regional District is receiving $42,100, announced today by Peace River North MLA Pat Pimm and Peace River South MLA Mike Bernier.

“Invasive species have detrimental impacts to our farm and ranchlands, lakes, and natural environment,” said Pimm. “This support will certainly help the regional municipalities in their efforts to prevent the spread of invasive species.”

“Preventing the spread of invasive species in the Peace to protect our agriculture sector and delicate ecosystem is a major priority for our government,” said Bernier.

“This funding will go a long way to continue the fight against these species.”

The funding will be used to raise public awareness of invasive plants, survey invasive plant populations, and control their spread in high-priority sites. Invasive plants are species that have been introduced into B.C. from other areas. They displace native vegetation and can cause considerable economic and environmental damage, with some posing a health risk. Invasive plants may disrupt natural ecosystems, reduce biodiversity, increase soil erosion, alter soil chemistry, and adversely affect commercial crops. A total of $1.6 million is being distributed by the B.C. government to help local governments, regional invasive species committees, and the Invasive Species Council of B.C. implement the provincial Invasive Plant Program.

This latest funding is in addition to $809,000 already earmarked by the provincial government for invasive plant control and management in the fiscal 2014-15 year.