Friday, August 16/ 2002
The Leader Post(Regina)
by Scott Foster
The Leader-Post (Regina)

Pesticides may be used

In reaction to public concern raised in Regina and other Saskatchewan centers, Parks Canada officials say they have not ruled out using an organic pesticide to control Prince Albert National Park's spruce budworm outbreak.

Gaby Fortin, director general for western and northern Canada, said Thursday the federal agency will "consider all option" in upcoming meetings with Waskesiu's town council and the Save our Spruce(SOS) committee.

The use of the bacteriological Btk-Believed to be capable of stopping the pest from contributing to the eventual destruction of mature spruce trees in the Waskesiu area-has won the support of town council, SOS and thousands of petition signatories from around the province, including Regina.

While Parks Canada officials have indicated the move to spray would conflict with its pesticide-free policy, Foreign said Thursday that the use of BTU will be a topic of future discussion.

"I would say it was always our stance (to consider spraying)," he said. "The community council has written to us. And in response to the concerns they have expressed, we will be communicating back to them. We have decided to consider all option." Fortin emphasized the park's vegetation management plan will go far in remedying any spruce die-offs.

Such a plan would incorporate other native tree and plant species into the area, making it more diverse and less vulnerable to the spruce budworm.

"Having one single species in the area means that if you have one (pest) that affects that particular species, then you're whole population is down."

Dr. Bryan Robertson, a Regina optometrist who is organizing part of the petition effort, maintained Parks Canada officials have so far made all of its decisions on the contentious issue "unilaterally."

Meanwhile, Prince Albert MP Brian Fitzpatrick has called Parks Canada's efforts at public consultation a "public relations exercise."

Fortin said he will meet with Waskesiu town council and concerned citizens on August 28 to discuss the matter further. Robertson said if any spraying program is to take place by next spring, action must be taken now."

"We have a tight window to work with."

Robertson's petition has so far collected over 170 signatures. He estimates there are at least 100 other centres in the province that are collecting signatures as well."

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