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SOS is a citizens' group formed
to lobby for specific action to deal with the severe infestation
of spruce budworm in the Village of Waskesiu. As part of its
activities, SOS collected just under 5,000 names of Canadians
from all parts of the country in support of a BtK spraying
program, met extensively with community leaders at the local,
provincial and federal levels, including Parks Canada officials,
supported the Waskesiu Community Council in its efforts to
develop an effective spray program, and collected donations
from interested parties, including $26,667 presented to the
Waskesiu Community Council to finance part of this environmental
assessment.
From the outset, SOS stated
that its position on this critical issue would be determined
by the science applicable to spruce budworm and BtK spraying.
SOS actively sought, and received, advice from experts in
the field, including senior Saskatchewan Environment officials
and BioForest Technologies Inc. whose familiarity with Waskesiu
and PANP proved invaluable.
Our central goals were to save
the White Spruce, Waskesiu's signature tree and to promote
a healthy urban forest through the implementation of a long-term
forest management plan.
After commissioning a significant
report on the issue, SOS advocated an aerial spraying program
using BtK to control the SBW infestation. We backed our advocacy
with the promise of collecting funds to finance the community's
share of the environmental assessment. SOS continues to assist
the Waskesiu Community Council as the project moves towards
implementation.
After a thorough review of
the AXYS report, SOS is pleased to lend its fullest support
for the conclusions in the report. The conclusions are supported
by the extensive body of literature on the subject, as well
as countless reports by governmental agencies in Canada, USA,
and other international bodies and are consistent with the
literature reviewed by SOS. Based on this extensive analysis,
we are very confident that this project can be implemented
successfully, with minimal disturbance to the environment.
SOS is particularly pleased
to underscore the consultants' conclusion that there will
be no cumulative effects on any of the six components investigated.
This confirms our own understanding of the effects, developed
through an extensive review of the literature and the development
of a report by BioForest Technologies Inc. As for the residual
effects, the mitigation proposed to minimize the health effects
are only common sense that any thinking person would undertake
on their own initiative. The conclusion that all other residual
effects are short term, small scale, reversible and "acceptable
within the strategic goals of PANP" is entirely compatible
with the science on the subject.
Having said that, SOS would
like to make two points. First, on page 3 of the report, under
Project Description, it is noted that the Foray 48B application
rate is 1.5 L/ha. Our information is that the application
rate should be 2.4 L/ha for each application.
Second, on page 11, the consultants
note that "the potential exclusion of the PMRU [from
the spraying program] is not considered a practical consideration."
While SOS agrees with this conclusion, we would note compelling
reasons not to exclude PMRU from the spray program. They are:
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The absence of any evidence
to suggest that the infestation is less severe in that
part of the community
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Public safety hazards from
the dead and topdead trees that would result if the spray
program is not undertaken there. It is noted that many
Park visitors who do not reside in this area visit and/or
walk through the area on a daily basis.
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The eventual requirement
to reallocate funds for the purpose of removing dead trees
from the non-sprayed area would be at the expense, and
to the detriment, of required vegetation management initiatives
in other parts of the community.
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The recognition that several
residents in this area support a spray program. Further,
the dead tree problem will emerge over time - perhaps
five or six years from now. Given staff turnover, many
of today's opponents may well have left for other jobs
in the Park system, leaving their successors to cope with
the hazards.
Therefore, SOS continues to
support a comprehensive spray program within the townsite
boundaries, excluding only the fire fuel break areas noted
in the report.
SOS is pleased to reiterate
its support for the aerial spray program as proposed by Parks
Canada and the Waskesiu Community Council. We earnestly believe
that this project will enhance the quality of the urban forest
and protect the visual character of Waskesiu, as required
by the community plan.
SOS pledges to continue working
with the Council and Parks Canada towards the successful implementation
of this project.
Respectfully submitted,
Save Our Spruce Committee
April 7, 2003
For further information,
please contact:
Herve Langlois, SOS Coordinator
Phone: (306) 242-0883)
E-mail: Hervelanglois@sasktel.net
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