December 12, 2008
Kamloops, British Columbia
The Kamloops Indian Band will diversify and rehabilitate the state of their land impacted by the Mountain Pine Beetle, thanks to an investment by the Government of Canada, through Western Economic Diversification Canada.
Federal funding of $153,950 was announced today by Cathy McLeod, Member of Parliament for Kamloops - Thompson - Cariboo, on behalf of the Honourable Lynne Yelich, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification. Funding is provided under the Community Economic Diversification Initiative (CEDI), a component of the federal Mountain Pine Beetle Program.
"Today's investment will help the Kamloops Indian Band reclaim land that has been damaged due to soil erosion," said Ms. McLeod. "This land rehabilitation project is a prime example of an economic diversification project designed to make a positive difference for communities that have been affected by the Mountain Pine Beetle."
The Kamloops Indian Band will conduct a regional pilot project to claim back land that has been affected by soil erosion and a decrease in grassland. Site preparation, the felling of trees and data compilation will be completed under the funding. The project will increase the economy of the Kamloops Indian Band by allowing for future ranching and agricultural opportunities.
"The KIB is a progressive band and wants to showcase good land stewardship. The band is very concerned about water retention and the spread of noxious weeds throughout the sensitive grassland ecosystems that make up approximately half of KIB Indian Reserve #1," said Chief Gottfriedson. "The grasslands are significant to our people and culture, and also to our economy. This funding enables the band to focus on the rehabilitation and enhancement of a significant portion of the KIB grasslands."
Managed by Western Economic Diversification Canada, CEDI will invest more than $33 million over two years towards projects in communities most at risk from the Mountain Pine Beetle infestation. The program supports a wide range of projects that further economic growth, job creation and future community sustainability.
The CEDI program is part of the Government of Canada's $200 million comprehensive response to mitigate the short- and long-term effects of the Mountain Pine Beetle infestation on B.C.'s forestry sector. This federal Mountain Pine Beetle Program is led by Natural Resources Canada, in collaboration with Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD) and Transport Canada.
Western Economic Diversification Canada in partnership with the provinces, industry associations, and communities promotes the development and diversification of the western economy, coordinates federal economic activities in the West and represent the interests of western Canadians in national decision-making.
For more information on the federal Mountain Pine Beetle Program, please visit: http://mpb.cfs.nrcan.gc.ca/
For additional information, contact:
Donna Howes
Communications Manager, British Columbia
Western Economic Diversification Canada
Telephone: 604-666-1318
Cell: 604-505-6616
April Thomas
Marketing Manager
Kamloops Indian Band
Kamloops, B.C.
Telephone: 250-314-1596
WD Toll-Free Number:1 888 338-WEST (9378)
Website: WD is online at www.wd-deo.gc.ca.
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