Whereas managing forest resources is complex and dynamic, involving a multitude of resource values and interests on the same land base and creating the potential for conflict and unwanted cumulative impacts; And whereas forestry and natural resource policy is spread over a number of Acts and regulations that apply to many different industries and activities, over vastly different landscapes, and are administered by a variety of different officials: Therefore be it resolved the Government of British Columbia adopt an umbrella Natural Resources Act that ensures activities occur according to a common and transparent vision, principles and standards, with coordinated planning, decision making and independent oversight.
Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations The Province has taken a pragmatic approach to integrate and advance a variety of key areas in natural resource management, including the formation of the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations under the one land manager philosophy. The integration of the sector is managed strategically by the Natural Resources Board of Deputy Ministers. Through the Natural Resources Permitting Project, the Provinces natural resource ministries and agencies are aligning business, processes, people and technology, to facilitate integrated management of B.C.s shared natural resources. British Columbia is one of the first provinces to develop a cumulative effects framework and approved an implementation plan for the framework in July 2014. The cumulative effects framework builds on governments existing strong environmental management framework that includes regional land-use plans, covering more than 90 of the province, and laws and regulations that ensure key environmental standards are met.