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| For Immediate Release 330-30:ELP98/99-033 June 18, 1998 | Office of the Premier |
VICTORIA - Premier Glen Clark today introduced legislation to establish the Muskwa-Kechika special management area through a separate act for the Muskwa-Kechika, a vast wilderness in British Columbia's Northern Rockies.
In October 1997, Clark announced the largest land-use decision of its kind in North America. The 4.4-million hectare Muskwa-Kechika area, born out of the Fort St. John and Fort Nelson land and resource management planning processes, includes 1.17 million hectares of parks and protected areas, surrounded by a 3.24-million hectare special management area.
"When I announced the Muskwa-Kechika land-use decision, I committed to legislation establishing the special management zone and the management plan for this spectacular part of the world," said Clark. "Today, we are moving forward with legislation creating an advisory board for the Muskwa-Kechika and a trust fund with $2 million for management, research and planning. This is a model that moves resource management and planning into the 21st century.
Clark appointed John Cashore to chair the Muskwa-Kechika advisory board. "John Cashore has served as both minister of environment, lands and parks and minister of aboriginal affairs, so he is specially qualified for this new challenge. The majority of the board are people living in the northeast, many of whom have been involved in the land-use planning processes," said Clark.
Ross Peck, a northern guide-outfitter, has been appointed as vice-chair. The board will advertise in the north for an executive assistant to support the board's activities.
Clark was joined in the announcement by Environment, Lands and Parks Minister Cathy McGregor, Forests Minister David Zirnhelt and Aboriginal Affairs Minister Dale Lovick. In addition, the new advisory board members, representatives from the oil and gas industry, environment groups, the tourism sector and the scientific community were in attendance.
Wayne Sawchuk, president of the Chetwynd Environmental Society, said, "By legislating this model of applied conservation biology, the northern planning tables and the province have set a standard for the conservation of wilderness, while allowing sensitive, temporary resource development that will be noted by the world."
McGregor said the Muskwa-Kechika is unmatched anywhere, representing the largest intact, unroaded wilderness area south of the 60th parallel. "Management planning for the area will focus on the environmental values of one of the largest intact predator-prey systems in North America, and the millions of hectares of wild river valleys, watersheds and mountains."
Dave Porter of the Kaska Dena First Nation said it is significant the Muskwa-Kechika will be protected by law, helping ensure its sustainability for generations to come. "This event demonstrates that when parties agree to work on a co-operative basis, significant progress on protecting environmental and aboriginal interests can be achieved.
Clark challenged corporations, non-government organizations and individuals to contribute to the newly created trust fund. "In addition to the Muskwa-Kechika trust fund base, the province will match up to $400,000 annually in donations to the fund. Already, Petro Canada and Westcoast Energy have pledged $50,000 each. Both of these companies are major employers in the area, and helped in the success of the land-use decision."
The trust fund and advisory group are dedicated to represent a balance of environmental, economic and sustainable development interests for the area. The legislation establishes approval structures at the local level that will lead to more timely and efficient approvals for industrial development. Planning will be carried out by resource managers in the North to ensure field level decisions are integrated and complementary to the environment and resource development.
Wayne Soper, vice-president, environment and government relations at Westcoast Energy said the natural gas industry is supportive of this kind of partnership between northeastern B.C. communities and conservation groups. "This is a good example of a balanced approach which provides economic growth while protecting and managing highly valued wilderness areas."
The Muskwa-Kechika area is known as the Serengetti of the North, and its protected areas and special management zones are unmatched anywhere. This legislation gives the management objectives for the Muskwa-Kechika the highest possible legislative certainty, said Clark.
(editors note: backgrounders are available on the Muskwa-Kechika advisory board and Muskwa-Kechika land-use decision.)
| Contact: Jean Wolff, (250) 387-1718 Press Secretary Office of the Premier | Alex Dabrowski, (250) 387-9423 or cell (250) 920-6026 Media Relations Victoria |