Biodiverse Climate Resilient Ecosystems

Ministry of Water Land and Resource Stewardship As the impacts of climate change are increasingly felt in British Columbia, we must work together to address these threats. Land use plans set the strategic direction to guide resource stewardship and seeks to foster ecosystem health, biodiversity, and resilience in the face of a changing climate. Effective land use plans are informed by analysis and assessments of current conditions of ecosystem values, and through collaborative planning and stewardship tables, that engage First Nations, communities, local governments, stakeholders and industry. Land use planning LUP is a process of working together with First Nations, local governments, stakeholders, communities, and the public to determine how public land and resources should be managed. The outcome of planning defines what types of activities can happen and when they can happen on the land. There are several strategic land use plans covering the Bulkley-Nechako and Fraser-Fort George Regional Districts. These include the Bulkley Land and Resource Management Plan 1998, the Morice Land and Resource Management Plan 2007 and the Lakes District Land and Resource Management Plan 2000. These were developed around the central concepts of biodiversity and sustainability with the intent to provide management direction that would ensure the health of the communities, the resources and all natural systems within the area. Land Use Plans establish strategic direction that guides subsequent resource-specific planning, including Forest Landscape Planning and Water Sustainability Planning, which are required to align with legal objectives established in LUPs. Forest Landscape Planning FLP brings together First Nations, and government with participation of the forest industry and input from local communities, to develop plans. FLP is guided by five legal objectivessupporting the production of timber, supporting the protection and conservation of the environment, managing First Nations and local communities forest ecosystem values and building resilience to disturbances and climate impacts. All these five FLP legal objectives support the resolution. Through forest management, FLP addresses valuestopics such as water, biodiversity, ecosystem resilience and climate adaptation, building a shared vision for a desired future forest state. Water Sustainability Plans WSP can be developed to address the needs of users and environmental flow needs, risks to aquatic ecosystem health, or to identify restoration measures in relation to a damaged aquatic ecosystem. The Nechako River MOU between the Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako, Saikuz, Stellaten, Nadleh Whuten, Cheslatta Carrier Nation, and Vanderhoof commits the parties to restore the river, its tributaries, and fish populations. Ministry staff will continue to participate in the Nechako Water Engagement Initiative to support opportunities to achieve a more naturalized flow regime for the Nechako River system. Ministry staff continue to work directly with First Nations, local and regional government, and stakeholders to support habitat enhancement and restoration opportunities in the Nechako valley, which includes strong participation from Bulkley Nechako Regional District member municipalities and regional representatives.