Prince George city council has approved the formation of a Bear Aware Advisory Committee, as was recommended in a notice of motion. Administration will draft the terms of reference for this short-term committee that will engage in research and provide recommendations for increased bear-proofing and bear attractant reduction efforts.
The city will offer participation on the committee to the Northern Bear Awareness Society, BC Conservation, UNBC, Regional District Solid Waste Division, as well as at least three positions to residents with the request for applications to go out upon the approved term of reference. The committee will also have staff support from the city’s Parks & Solid Waste and Bylaw Services divisions.
Council also asked administration to return a report with options to convert certain public garbage bins to bear resistant bins and reduce fruit trees on city property.
Fruit Tree removals to be incentivized
Council received information on a program to reduce bear attractants through a fruit tree removal incentive program. A fruit tree removal incentive program could provide funds toward the cost of removal of fruit trees on private residential property. Council voted to refer this proposed program to the new Bear Aware Advisory Committee for review and recommendations.
The staff report also reported the city has several fruit trees located on municipal boulevards that will be removed as current operational funding is available.