The public is invited to comment on proposed ministerial orders to implement the Gwa’ni land-use plan.

The plan, developed in partnership with ‘Na̲mg̲is First Nation, will help protect biodiversity, support ‘Na̲mg̲is First Nation cultural values and provide operational clarity for the forestry industry.

From Friday, Sept. 19, 2025, until Nov. 18, 2025, people in British Columbia can share feedback on the proposed ministerial orders that would implement key components of the Gwa’ni Land Use Plan. The Gwa’ni Land Use Plan covers more than 166,000 hectares of Crown land within the Nimpkish River watershed south of Port McNeill. Private property is neither included nor affected by this proposed plan.

Collectively, the proposed land-use direction and its related four ministerial orders would:

• clarify forestry planning and operations within territory;
• help protect biodiversity, ecosystems, culturally important sites and other values identified within the watershed;
• support a modern, co-ordinated approach to managing natural resources; and
• update land-use guidelines that reflect a shared vision for caring for the land together.

The Gwa’ni Land Use Plan will support the local economy by providing planning and operational clarity. The plan aims to create stability for the forestry sector in the area and enable an increase in the average harvest levels of the past seven years in the Nimpkish River watershed within ‘Na̲mg̲is territory, as well as support work underway on the Tree Farm Licence 37 Forest Landscape Plan.

Land-use planning on northern Vancouver Island was co-developed between the Province and ‘Na̲mg̲is First Nation and included direct engagement with the people in the region, local government, industry and stakeholders.

The proposed ministerial orders maintain public access for recreation, hunting and other activities. By seeking input from the public and working with communities, land-use planning is meant to help identify areas for conservation and recreation.

In compliance with a statutory requirement, the Province has published a notice of the open 60-day consultation in a local newspaper and the B.C. Gazette.

Learn More:

To view and comment about the proposed ministerial orders, visit:
https://www.planninginpartnership.ca/p/6038070ec65ea900200bbf5a/documents;currentPage=1;pageSize=100;sortBy=-dateAdded;ms=1757970050496

To learn about the Gwa’ni Land Use Planning Project, visit:
https://www.planninginpartnership.ca/api/document/68c09c01da4bd20021d40b6e/fetch/46009_Attachment_5_-_Gwa%27ni_Project_Plan_Summary.pdf

To see the notice in B.C. Gazette, visit Part 1 online:
https://www.crownpub.bc.ca/home/gazette