BACKGROUNDER: NORTH COAST MANAGEMENT PLAN

Background
Preliminary planning for the North Coast land and resource management plan has been underway since January 2001, when the province named a team to consult with stakeholders, design the process and convene a planning table. The planning table will be convened by Jan. 31, 2002, and has defined an18-month completion target. First Nations and the province have established a government-to-government relationship and have entered into several interim measures agreements.

Work on the North Coast plan to date includes preparation of 48 detailed resource maps covering eight categories, and a 200-page current conditions report outlining key natural, cultural, socio-economic and physical features. A complete social, environmental and economic base case report will be presented to the table in the new year. The base case report is one of several technical documents government will prepare to ensure land-use decisions are based on good information.

Planning Process
The revised North Coast planning process will reflect the government's new streamlined approach to land-use planning in British Columbia. The process will balance the need for sustainable economic development with the need to protect ecosystems. The planning table will follow tighter timeframes with specific deadlines, and will focus its recommendations on important issues.

The team has conducted 30 interviews with individuals and groups about the process to be used for the North Coast. Stakeholders strongly supported a plan that results in environmental and economic sustainability and receives broad endorsement from communities. Further public consultation occurred at an open house in Prince Rupert in March 2001.

The plan will not deal with offshore resources like oil and gas exploration, or marine protected areas under federal jurisdiction. A separate coastal planning process for the Prince Rupert area will begin in 2002 and will cover foreshore activities. No existing strategic land-use plans currently guide resource management in the North Coast.

Plan Area
The North Coast planning area is bounded by the Pacific Ocean to the west and the Coast Mountains to the east. It covers a diverse area between Princess Royal Island to the southwest and north to within five kilometres of the town of Stewart.

Three First Nations - Tsimshian, Nisga'a, and Haisla - have interests in the planning area. The Tsimshian and Haisla are involved in the treaty negotiation process, while the Nisga'a Treaty received royal assent in the House of Commons on April 12, 2000.

-30-

Contact:

Eamon O'Donoghue Process Manager 250 847-7495

For more information on the Ministry of Sustainable Resource Management, visit our Web site at http://www.gov.bc.ca/srm.