DECEMBER 2017 • COUNTRY LIFE IN BC
19 Stockmen receive update on wildfire recovery
AgriRecovery isn’t perfect but it delivers critical funds by TOM WALKER
KAMLOOPS – The semi- annual general meeting of the Kamloops Stockman’s Association in November featured an address by Kevin Boon, general manager of the BC Cattlemen’s Association (BCCA), that covered a range of topics important to ranchers. “I’m going to start off by mentioning the little bonfire we had out there this summer,” Boon quipped in reference to BC’s worst fire season on record. “It caused a lot of havoc for a lot of people, and some real long- term effects.”
But some things were learned that will be of future benefit, Boon said. “No one was prepared for
as many fires to start as quickly as they started in as many areas as they started,” he told ranchers. “In the first couple of weeks, there were a lot of organizational issues that hit the fan. I am really happy to say that especially in the Cariboo Regional District (CRD) we were really able to implement some change. Part of that was putting Reg Steward into the Emergency Operations Center to help co-ordinate things.” The permitting process to
allow ranchers access to properties in the fire zone was a key success. Premises ID gave proof that ranchers had a working operation and a purpose to be there and RCMP could work with that and issue the permits, Boon explained. “We were also able to track the location of ranchers and map that so that during an event we could say, ‘Yes, we have personnel under permit in an area and here is how you notify them,’” he said. “The calls to us in our office probably went from three or four an hour to nothing overnight. … I think Wildfire Services recognized the value that was contributed.” Rehabilitation of the estimated 5,000 kilometres of fireguards established during the season is a top priority. “We are pushing very hard
right now for a grass seeding program,” Boon says. “We are concerned about erosion and invasive plants. We feel that 5,000 kilometres could probably be done by helicopter for somewhere in the range of $3 million.” Boon said that when BCCA
recognized July 10 that the fires were going to be bigger than anything previously experienced, it began advocating for recovery
funding. “BCCA started sending
regular emails with pictures each week and soon we were able to convince Ottawa of the seriousness of the BC situation,” he said. The result was coverage
under AgriRecovery for expenses and losses that aren’t typically covered, including infrastructure items for which insurance is available such as houses, barns, corrals and fences. “We successfully argued that, with the length and time the fires were burning, ranchers needed some basic structures to corral their animals for animal health and welfare purposes,” he said. “I think the number we are working with is $70 a head up to a maximum of $70,000 for replacing infrastructure that will also include things like waterers for cattle and some dollars for irrigation so we can get water back on these fields.” BCCA also successfully
argued for AgriRecovery coverage for immediate needs that went beyond the basic material costs insurance would cover, such as fencing. “AgriRecovery agreed to
pay 70% of a $6,000 per kilometre labour component, so that’s $4,200 a kilometre that will be eligible for anyone who got burned out on private fence,” he said. Shortfalls in feed and
pasture are going to be covered at least till end of October 2018, Boon said. “We won’t be able to make those assessments ‘til next year but shortfalls will be a consideration,” he said. “But it’s not losses. If you had hay in storage and your barn was burned, that won’t be covered. The program is not perfect.” AgriRecovery will also
cover loss of breeding stock, but calves are not covered because they’re not considered market livestock “It would be seen as subsidizing under world trade agreements,” Boon said. Pregnancy checks will be
covered at 70% of the $5 cost and there will be some small amounts for horse and rider for mustering cattle in. “Overall, there has been $20 million dedicated towards AgriRecovery. Will it be enough? I have no idea. At this point they are just doing the assessments,” Boon says. “We had to have a place to start and when the formal assessments are in, if we need more, I think we have a better than reasonable chance of getting it topped up.”
AgriRecovery is available to producers affected by this summer’s wildfires for replacing infrastructure, like waterers, that wouldn’t typically be covered by insurance or the federal program. GARY NYMAN FILE PHOTO
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