B.C. First Nations and Province Finish Plans for B.C.'s Coast

The marine management plans were completed on Monday under a partnership between 18 coastal First Nations and the provincial government.

The Marine Planning Partnership (MaPP) applies to areas from Haida Gwaii to Campbell River on Vancouver Island. The plans give recommendations for important areas of marine management, including uses, activities, and protection. The provincial government says the MaPP plans will help to inform decisions about the sustainable economic development and stewardship of the coastal marine environment in these areas.

The Province warns that the new plans don’t address uses and activities that it considers under federal jurisdiction, which would require consultations with that government.

The four sub-regional plans for Central Coast, Haida Gwaii, North Coast, and North Vancouver Island were developed with all partners, says the provincial government, and involved engagement with coastal residents and other members of the public.

The Province says that these MaPP plans will advance human well-being, economic opportunities, and ocean conservation in these rich ecosystems. These plans include:

• Management objectives and strategies that support positive change and reinforce the government’s approach to decision-making, stewardship, economic development and healthy coastal communities.
• Spatial zoning that identifies marine areas for special uses, protection and general use.
• Plan implementation, monitoring and amendment information which describes how officials will move forward with the plans and how changes can be made.

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“Today’s agreement between the Government of B.C. and 18 First Nations marks a milestone for the sustainable economic development and stewardship of British Columbia’s coastal marine environment,” says Steve Thomson, MLA for Kelowna-Mission and Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations. “I look forward to working with First Nations as we move toward implementation. The marine planning process has been an opportunity to continue to build productive relationships with First Nations.”

"Over the years our Nations have worked together with the Province to build a common land use vision that will lead to certainty and sustainability,” said Dallas Smith, President of Nanwakolas Council. “These Marine Plans are a vital step to including the marine environment into that common vision."

The 18 First Nations and the provincial government are now drafting implementation agreements for further action.