Grand Forks receives approval for 2016 urban deer grant
By Boundary Sentinel
The City of Grand Forks is one of four B.C. municipalities that have been approved for grants under a provincial program that was launched last year to support local government’s that are experiencing challenges with urban deer.
A provincial media release said Grand Forks will receive $16,000 to cull 80 deer in the community.
Other communities receiving approval include:
- Invermere has been approved for $10,200 to cull 51 deer
- Elkford’s application for $10,000 to cull 50 deer has also been approved
- Cranbrook will receive a $19,900 grant that will be used to study the feasibility of relocating problem deer that have taken up residence in urban environments
“We’re committed to working with local governments to find urban deer solutions that meet local needs,” said Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Steve Thomson.
Under the Provincial Urban Deer Cost-Share Program, government is providing up to $100,000 in cost-share funding, to a maximum of $20,000 per eligible community, for projects that focus on deer culls and research into population control methods such as relocation and immuno-contraception.
A fifth application from Oak Bay is still under consideration and ministry staff are working with that municipality to refine the proposal.
The release said the Provincial Urban Deer Cost-Share Program follows through on a commitment made by government at the 2015 Union of B.C. Municipalities annual meeting.
The program offers matching funds, and support varies for each region. Interior culls are eligible for $200 deer, while on the Coast, the rate is $300 per deer. Interior deer are less expensive to cull because winters are cold in the Interior, there is less food available and deer are more willing to come to baits.
The ministry’s call for proposals was issued Oct. 26. Grant agreements with the successful applicants are scheduled to be finalized later this month and project completion reports from the recipients are due on or before March 17, 2016.
