If you care about the ocean environment, or your living depends on the ocean, then the North Coast-Skeena First Nations Stewardship Society and the Province of British Columbia want to hear from you at two upcoming public meetings:

MAY 12, 2014 
North Coast Meeting and Convention Centre, 240 1st Ave. West 
Open House: 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. 
Presentation and Questions: 6:30 - 8 p.m.

KITIMAT - MAY 13, 2104
Kitimat Valley Institute, 1352 Alexander Ave.
Open House: 5:30 - 6:30 p.m.
Presentation and Questions: 6:30 - 8 p.m. 

Comments and feedback can be provided online by visiting the MaPP website at http://mappocean.org/north-coast/draft-plan-for-input/. The public review period for the North Coast draft Marine Plan is from April 29 to June 3, 2014.

The MaPP initiative is a co-led partnership between the Province of British Columbia and 18 member First Nations (mappocean.org)  working to create plans for marine uses and long-term ocean health on the North Pacific Coast. The North Coast plan area reaches from the southern Alaskan border to the north end of Laredo Sound and includes the communities of Prince Rupert, Kitimat and Terrace.

The draft plan was developed following extensive consultation with 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 North Coast 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 North Coast-Skeena First Nations Stewardship Society member Nations' laws and traditions hold them responsible for ensuring that natural and cultural heritage of their traditional territories is passed on to future generations.

Members and partners Nations of the North Coast-Skeena First Nations Stewardship Society and partners in the MaPP initiative are: the Metlakatla, Kitsumkalum, Kitselas, Haisla, Gitga'at and Gitxaała First Nations. 

The North Coast 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 the North Coast's coastal marine environment.

The final plans for all four sub-regional plans (Haida Gwaii (mappocean.org) , North Coast (mappocean.org) , Central Coast (mappocean.org)  and North Vancouver Island (mappocean.org) ) 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

Craig Outhet
Marine Planning Coordinator
North Coast-Skeena First Nations Stewardship Society
250 624-8614