Media Contacts

Ministry of Land, Water and Resource Stewardship

Media Relations
778 679-5541

Tara Marsden/Naxginkw

Gitanyow Hereditary Chiefs
tara.marsden@gitanyowchiefs.com
250 842-3297

Backgrounders

B.C.’s approach to modernized land-use planning

Land-use planning ensures the activities that take place on the land are consistent with the goals of local communities and support the stewardship of local ecosystems.

B.C. is modernizing land-use planning to advance reconciliation efforts, support economic opportunities and guide stewardship of public land and resources to reflect the diverse values and interests of all British Columbians. The modernized approach to land-use planning includes partnerships with First Nations, collaboration with local governments, and engagement with communities, stakeholders and the public.

Nine land-use planning projects are currently underway in partnership with one or more First Nations. Modernized land-use planning has an annual budget of $7.78 million to continue to support program development and advancement of land-use planning projects currently underway. These projects address the specific needs of local lands, and reflect local interests and priorities, focusing for example on marine areas, water sustainability, and wildlife corridors.

The Gitanyow Lax’yip Land Use Plan, along with the Nass South and Cranberry Sustainable Resource Management Plans that put it into effect, are early examples of joint land-use plans with First Nations in B.C., and are considered to be strong models of a partnership approach to land-use planning going forward.