Comments and feedback are being sought on the Haida Gwaii draft Marine Plan at a series of open houses and public meetings in Sandspit, Old Massett, Skidegate, and Port Clements, as part of the Marine Planning Partnership (MaPP) initiative.

If you care about the ocean environment, or your living depends on the ocean, then the Council of the Haida Nation and the Province of British Columbia want to hear from you at the upcoming public meetings:

SANDSPIT - APRIL 14, 2014
Community Hall, 411 Alliford Bay Rd.
Chat and Snacks/Open House: 5:30 - 7 p.m.
Presentation and Questions: 7 - 8 p.m.
Small Discussion Groups (depending on interest): 8 - 9 p.m.

OLD MASSETT - APRIL 15, 2014
Old Massett Community Hall, 348 Eagle Ave.
Chat and Snacks/Open House: 5:30 - 7 p.m.
Presentation and Questions: 7 - 8 p.m.
Small Discussion Groups (depending on interest): 8 - 9 p.m.

SKIDEGATE - APRIL 16, 2014
Skidegate Community Hall, Front St.
Chat and Snacks/Open House: 5:30 - 7 p.m.
Presentation and Questions: 7 - 8 p.m.
Small Discussion Groups (depending on interest): 8 - 9 p.m.

PORT CLEMENTS - APRIL 17, 2014
Community Hall, 120 Bayview Dr.
Chat and Snacks/Open House: 5:30 - 7 p.m.
Presentation and Questions: 7 - 8 p.m.
Small Discussion Groups (depending on interest): 8 - 9 p.m.

Comments and feedback can be provided online by visiting the MaPP website at mappocean.org/haida-gwaii/draft-plan-for-input/ or the CHN website at Haidanation.ca. The public review period for the Haida Gwaii draft Marine Plan is from April 2 to May 7, 2014.

The MaPP initiative is a co-led partnership between the Province of British Columbia and 18 member First Nations working to create plans for marine uses and long-term ocean health on the North Pacific Coast. The Haida Gwaii plan area encompasses the archipelago of approximately 150 islands located 100 kilometres west of the north coast of British Columbia. The chain of islands extends roughly 250 kilometres from its southern tip to its northernmost point and includes the communities of Old Massett, Masset, Port Clements, Skidegate, Queen Charlotte and Sandspit.

The draft plan reflects substantive input from the Haida Marine Work Group and the Haida Gwaii Marine Advisory Committee which includes stakeholders with expertise in a range of marine sectors. In addition, a science advisory committee has provided expert technical and scientific knowledge and advice in the development of background material that has informed the draft sub-regional plans.

This draft plan is not intended to address management of uses and activities that the province considers to be federal government jurisdiction. However, where there is overlap or shared jurisdiction, ecosystem-based management priorities or marine spatial planning priorities, these topics are discussed. The intent is that issues requiring federal government involvement would be subject to consultations with the federal government.

The Haida Gwaii draft Marine Plan focuses on marine areas and uses where, as between the Government of British Columbia and Canada, the Government of British Columbia has legal jurisdiction and regulatory authority - namely the foreshore (i.e., the intertidal zone), coastal "inland waters" on the outer coast, and the lands covered by these waters. The Haida Nation, under the authority of the Haida Constitution, is responsible for ensuring that natural and cultural heritage of Haida territory is passed on to future generations.

The Haida Gwaii draft Marine Plan will provide recommendations for key areas of marine management - including uses, activities and protection - and will inform decisions regarding the sustainable economic development and stewardship of Haida Gwaii's coastal marine environment.

The final plans for all four sub-regional plans (Haida Gwaii, North Coast, Central Coast and North Vancouver Island) and a regional management framework are scheduled for completion by June 2014.

The MaPP initiative promotes collaboration between governments and sectors on all planning products. Public engagement and input are central to this process. Find out more at www.mappocean.org.

Media Contacts:

Grieg Bethel
Media Relations
Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations
250 356-5261

Simon Davies
Program Manager, Communications
Council of the Haida Nation
250 559-4468