PROVINCE WORKING TOWARD LASTING LAND USE PLAN VICTORIA – The Ministry of Forests and Range has temporarily suspended harvesting within new proposed protected areas on the Queen Charlotte Islands as part of the process to reach a lasting land use plan for the area. Approximately 56,000 hectares of Crown land are affected by the one-year designation enacted under Part 13 of B.C.’s Forest Act. The designation is in effect until May 31, 2007. Reaching a lasting land-use plan will help bring operational certainty to the forest industry and provide the people who live and work on the Queen Charlotte Islands with a sustainable future. The suspension of harvesting will also assist the Province in meeting its legal obligations to consult with the Haida on land and resource decisions that may affect their interests. A Letter of Understanding signed between the Province and Council of the Haida Nation sets out a number of commitments with respect to consultation and accommodation, including a commitment to negotiate longer-term agreements. Currently, more than 225,500 hectares have interim protection on the Queen Charlotte Islands. Approximately 142,000 hectares was designated as the Duu Guusd area in 1999, followed by another 27,700 hectares in April 2005 and 56,000 hectares this month. The latest areas were identified based on information from the Haida indicating the importance of the areas to the land use planning negotiations. -30- BACKGROUNDER - ENGAGEMENT WITH HAIDA SUPPORTS QCI SUSTAINABILITY The Province of B.C. and the Council of the Haida Nation are engaged in discussions on land and resource matters on Haida Gwaii/Queen Charlotte Islands. In November 2004, the Supreme Court of Canada ruled that the Province must consult with and, in some cases, accommodate on crown land and resource decisions that may affect Haida interests. In April 2005, the Province and the Council of the Haida Nation signed a Letter of Understanding that sets out interim consultation measures and includes a commitment to negotiate longer-term agreements. Stemming from the Letter of Understanding, discussions are taking place to reach agreement on: •An interim consultation protocol on forestry activity. •Economic opportunities for the Haida through long-term forest tenure. •Interim protection of cultural cedar and wildlife habitat areas pending completion of a Haida Gwaii/Queen Charlotte Islands land-use plan. In addition to the Letter of Understanding discussions, the Integrated Land Management Bureau of the Ministry of Agriculture and Lands has initiated the second phase of the Islands’ land-use planning process. A community stakeholders group has submitted its land-use plan recommendations report to government and, as required in B.C.’s land-use planning process, government-to-government talks to finalize the land use plan have begun with the Council of the Haida Nation. The Province is also working with the council, mayors and other local government officials on a consultation process and analysis to enhance community economic viability on the Islands. This community viability process will result in a series of economic development recommendations, made by and for Islanders, as input to a finalized land use plan. Government is committed to fulfilling its legal obligations as set out by the Supreme Court of Canada and to facilitate a sustainable economy on Haida Gwaii/Queen Charlotte Islands. The Province is building a New Relationship with First Nations based on the principles of mutual respect, recognition and reconciliation of Aboriginal rights. -30- Reference #: 2006FOR0037-000569 Date released: May 8, 2006 Region: Province Wide Category: General Contact(s): Max Cleeveley Communications Director Ministry of Forests and Range 250 387-8486 **************************************************************************** The Ministry of Forests web site is http://www.for.gov.bc.ca All Ministry of Forests news releases, back to 1994, are available at: http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/pscripts/pab/newsrel/mofnewstitles.asp