| Abstract/Description or Keywords |
This document is a strategic land use plan for the Atlin Taku developed through a collaborative, government-to-government process involving the Province of British Columbia (BC) and the Taku River Tlingit First Nation (TRTFN). One of the principal drivers for joint planning in the Atlin Taku is the New Relationship (2005)1, which sets out a vision and principles for a government-to-government relationship between the Province of British Columbia and First Nations. The New Relationship is part of an evolving process towards recognition and reconciliation of Crown and Aboriginal rights and titles in British Columbia. The New Relationship confirms the commitment of the Province and First Nations to work together in a spirit of mutual recognition and respect. Consistent with the spirit and intent of the New Relationship, the Province of British Columbia and the Taku River Tlingit First Nation established together the Framework Agreement for Shared Decision-Making Respecting Land Use and Wildlife Management2 (the _Framework Agreement‘) in March 2008. This agreement set the stage for government-to-government discussions related to land use planning, collaborative wildlife management planning, and the establishment of shared decision-making arrangements. The Atlin Taku Land Use Plan was undertaken to contribute in part to the achievement of several of the jointly agreed to outcomes specified in the Framework Agreement (s.2.3) which include: _ reduction in conflicts between the British Columbia and the TRTFN over land use and wildlife management matters; _ increased clarity on the processes, policies, and structures, including shared decision-making processes, that will be used between the parties to achieve sustainable environmental management of lands, waters and resources; _ operational decision-making processes that are more effective, and more efficient than those currently in use for addressing interests of BC and the TRTFN; _ mechanisms in place that protect healthy, fully functioning ecosystems which sustain the land, waters and resources on which the Tlingit rely for their Aboriginal rights and the continuation of Tlingit khustďyxh, or way of life; _ conservation of areas that are culturally significant to the Tlingits; _ increase in the diversification of sustainable economic activity in the planning area, including but not limited to improved employment opportunities and economic benefits for the Tlingits, Atlin residents, other communities and for the citizens of British Columbia; _ strategies in place that can provide for both parties the capacity and resources needed to implement jointly developed plans and apply shared decision-making; _ maintenance of healthy populations of wildlife species within the planning area; and _ maintenance of hunted wildlife populations that are robust enough to meet conservation requirements, First Nations food, social and ceremonial requirements, and also provide opportunities for resident and non-resident hunters. TRTFN and BC intend that this Land Use Plan, along with other agreements negotiated between the Parties under the Framework Agreement, will represent a step towards the implementation of the New Relationship3 and tangible interim progress toward a longer term reconciliation of their interests, including the establishment of a shared decision-making process between them respecting land use and wildlife matters. Under the Framework Agreement, BC and the TRTFN agreed to develop jointly the following land use recommendations in the Atlin Taku Land Use Plan: _ a framework for culturally and ecologically sustainable management grounded in ecosystembased management practices including principles, goals, and objectives for critical habitat and ecosystem management; and _ designated resource management zones, defining the scope of acceptable activities, including: _ areas for protection from major industrial development due to their cultural, ecological, wildlife, or fisheries values; and, _ areas available for ecologically sustainable and culturally appropriate development. The Atlin Taku Land Use Plan will contribute to fulfilling these commitments by providing resource management direction and zoning for the principal resource values and land use activities that are expected to occur within the Plan Area, including: Access, Aquatic and Riparian Habitats, Terrestrial Biodiversity and Wildlife Habitat, Culture and Heritage, Forestry, Mineral Exploration and Mining, and Recreation and Tourism. Additional resource management direction specific to other potential development activities such as energy, oil and gas development, and agriculture may be developed at a later time as required. This Land Use Plan is an instrument of policy that provides resource management direction for operational land and resource-based activities within the Plan Area, which includes those portions of the Taku, Yukon and Whiting watersheds within British Columbia as shown on Map 1. The Land Use Plan will also guide planning processes at the more detailed scale e.g., as required for operational activities. The approved Land Use Plan will be implemented within the legislative and policy frameworks of the day. Some components of this plan will be implemented as legal designations or objectives. The remainder of the plan provides policy guidance to be considered by decision makers along with other applicable legislation and policy. It also provides guidance for a variety of land users and development proponents who seek to operate in the Plan Area. Other deliverables identified under the Framework Agreement may be completed through other joint processes or through mechanisms set out in separate agreements, including the following: _ the development of structures and processes for shared decision-making between the TRTFN and BC, which are contained in a separate Government-to-Government (G2G) Land and Resource Management and Shared Decision Making Agreement (see section 2.2); _ collaborative fish and wildlife management and planning; _ local access planning for the Atlin area; and _ a strategic review of deregulated streams in the Plan Area and a recommended approach to developing best practices, restoration plans and/or other measures that address the concerns of Tlingits and others regarding water quality and fish habitat. The Atlin Taku Land Use Plan does not address the following: _ negotiations associated with Aboriginal rights and title. These negotiations occur through separate tripartite processes involving BC, First Nations and the Government of Canada. The Land Use Plan does not limit treaty negotiations and settlements and any outcomes of treaty negotiations will take precedence over the Land Use Plan; _ any government-to-government engagement that may be required for Environmental Assessment; _ resources and resource use activities on private lands; _ allocation of fish and wildlife resources; or _ resource revenue sharing. |
