DETAILS ON SQUAMISH AGREEMENTS

Land-use Agreement

The land-use agreement with Squamish covers part of the Sea-to-Sky Land and Resource Management Plan (LRMP) plan area in southwestern B.C. The area is home to the Sea-to-Sky Highway, which links numerous communities, including Squamish, Whistler and Pemberton. Squamish traditional territory includes the spectacular Squamish and Cheakamus rivers as well as the world famous Squamish Chief granite dome in Stawamus Chief Provincial Park.

The Province and the Squamish have agreed to:

New Conservancies

· Two new conservancies are established: Elaho (10,112 ha), adjacent to Clendinning Provincial Park, and West Squamish (1,082 ha), adjacent to Tantalus Provincial Park.

Cultural Sites

· The agreement outlines 22 cultural sites, ranging in size from 60 to 410 hectares. The total area of these cultural sites is 3,063 hectares, where the priority is to protect Squamish cultural values including traditional use areas, village sites and sacred places.

Cultural Management Areas

· Parts of three Squamish Nation Wild Spirit Places will be managed as Special Cultural Management Areas, where resource development is permitted subject to specific rules to conserve wildlife habitat and cultural features.

Wildland Zones

· Parts of two of the Wild Spirit Places areas to be designated as Wildland zones. Commercial recreation and mining is permitted within these zones, however, no commercial forest harvesting is permitted.

Wildlife Focus Areas

· The Province agrees that the Squamish Nation Wildlife Focus Areas are areas of special importance for wildlife, including eagles, grizzly bears and peregrine falcons. These areas will provide enhanced habitat management and access planning provisions and will be incorporated into the final LRMP.

Collaborative Fish and Wildlife Management

· The Province also invites Squamish Nation to participate in collaborative management of fish and wildlife with the Ministry of Environment, through a Fish and Wildlife Advisory Committee that is advisory to the Minister of Environment.

The Sea-to-Sky LRMP was initiated to provide greater certainty for local economic development and the long-term sustainability of ecological values. Planning began in 2002. In 2004, a public planning forum submitted a package of recommendations to the Province. In 2005, the Province began government-to-government discussions with First Nations.

Parks Agreement

Over the past year, Ministry of Environment staff and Squamish Nation representatives have been working together on a Collaborative Agreement for the Management of Parks and Protected Areas in the Squamish Nation Traditional Territory.

The agreement focuses on collaborative park planning, development of economic activities, capacity building and on creating a forum for both B.C. and the Squamish Nation to discuss issues of common interest. It will allow the Squamish to collaboratively participate in the management of provincial parks in their territory, including the development of new cultural tourism products, cultural interpretation and other activities.

There are two new conservancies (Elaho and West Squamish), 17 existing provincial parks and marine parks, one ecological reserve and one wildlife management area within Squamish territory. Legislation to establish the two new conservancies is expected to pass within the next year.
In addition to being rich in cultural and spiritual values for the Squamish Nation, these areas also feature a diversity of environmental and recreational treasures, from valuable old growth ecosystems and eagle nesting and feeding grounds, to unique waterfall viewing opportunities, extensive hiking trails and exciting camping prospects.
The Squamish Nation is interested in expanding its role in the management of provincial parks in their territory, including the development of new cultural tourism products, cultural interpretation and other activities.
Collaborative Management Agreements ensure provincial parks are available for the use, recreation and enjoyment of all British Columbians, while preserving their link to First Nations’ heritage and culture.

Any future conservancies and parks in Squamish territory will fall under the Collaborative Management Agreement.

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Media contact:	Liz Bicknell Communications Director Ministry of Agriculture and Lands 250 356-2862 250 213-3072 (cell)

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