June 10th, 2003

FIRST PHASE OF THE BTK AERIAL SPRAY PROGRAM SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED

The second aerial application of BtK to control the budworm infestation was successfully completed on Tuesday, June 10.

The application began at about 5:30 a.m. and was completed in about 40 minutes.

Based on comments from Parks Canada officials and the program monitors, the first applicaition was successful in impacting on the budworm population. A detailed report will be available in due course.

The delay between the first and second applications, due to weather conditions, means that greater defoliation will occur this spring than would have been expected had the spray program been implemented without delay. However, without the spray program, damage would have been much greater.

The approved spray plan is a three-year program, subject an an annual assessment to determine if further applications are required.

Waskesiu people on coffee row this morning were very positive towards the spray program. There was a collective sigh of relief that the program had actually been completed this year. Concerns about the negative impact of the spray have now largely been removed.

Parks Canada management worked extremely hard under difficult circumstances to have this program implemented successfully. Superintendent Rod Blair, Calgary office directors and managers, and some Waskesiu staff members deserve a huge pat on the back for their work on this.

Until next year . . . . . .

P.S. Keep your donations coming in!!!!!!!!!!

June 9th,2003

Updated Public Notice

24 Hours Notice

Prince Albert National Park of Canada

THE 2nd APPLICATION OF FORAY 48B
TO PROTECT 40,000 WHITE SPRUCE TREES IN THE COMMUNITY OF WASKESIU

is scheduled for June 10th, 2003

Spraying will occur between 05:00 and 09:00 a.m. The ability to proceed with spraying on a given date, depends on weather conditions. Light winds and no precipitation provide optimal spraying conditions. Media will be advised if postponements result in spraying occurring on alternate dates. These “24 Hour Notices” are being posted in the community, as well as being distributed to residents, stakeholders, and media.

Completion of Spraying - Following a successful second application, Public Notices, that were posted in the community, will be removed and a final notice will be sent to media indicating the conclusion of the spraying program for this year.

For more information on this project, please visit the Prince Albert National Park website (www.parkscanada.gc.ca/princealbert under “What’s New”).

June 3rd, 2003

The first aerial application of BtK to control the budworm infestation in
Waskesiu was completed on Tuesday June 3 shortly after 8 a.m.

The process took about 15 minutes.

The second application is scheduled for Thursday, June 5, weather permitting.

Waskesiu visitors will still notice damage to the trees this year as the budworm feeds for a few days after beginning to ingest the BtK.

The spray program has been planned for two applications per year for three years.

WASKESIU, Friday May 30, 2003 – Parks Canada has today announced two revised target spraying dates for applying Foray 48B in the community of Waskesiu to protect over 40,000 white spruce trees from a severe infestation of spruce budworm.

Spraying dates are determined by closely monitoring larval development which has been accelerated by warmer than average temperatures. Spraying must occur while larvae are at a life-stage where they are actively feeding, however spraying will not occur on weekends. Parks Canada remains committed to conducting a safe and effective spraying program and to providing accurate and timely information to residents, visitors, and stakeholders.

Target spraying dates for aerially spraying Foray 48B in the community of Waskesiu are:

Monday June 2 and Wednesday June 4, 2003

If we are unable to spray on a target date, due to unfavourable weather conditions, notices will remain up, and spraying will occur on the next available date (weekends excluded). For example, the first available alternate spraying dates are:

Tuesday June 3rd and Thursday June 9th, 2003

Spraying will occur between 05:00 and 09:00 a.m. The ability to proceed with spraying on a given date, depends on weather conditions. Light winds and no precipitation provide optimal spraying conditions. Media will be advised if postponements result in spraying occurring on alternate dates. These “24 Hour Notices” are being posted in the community, as well as being distributed to residents, stakeholders, and media.

Completion of Spraying - Following a successful second application, Public Notices, that were posted in the community, will be removed and a final notice will be sent to media indicating the conclusion of the spraying program for this year.

For more information on this project, please visit the Prince Albert National Park website (www.parkscanada.gc.ca/princealbert under “What’s New”).

Information:
Bill Hunt
Communications Advisor,
Office of the Executive Director, Mountain Parks
Parks Canada
(403) 762-1568

Phone (306) 663-4501 to listen to a daily ‘spraying update’ message.