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MACKENZIE – The Province is providing $500,000 to support collaborative land-use planning and government-to-government relations in the Muskwa-Kechika Management Area, Forests and Range Minister Pat Bell, who is also the MLA for Prince George North, announced today on behalf of Agriculture and Lands Minister Ron Cantelon.
“In this time of unprecedented global economic pressures, the Province remains committed to balancing environmental management with the development of a stable economy for all British Columbians,” Bell said. “This funding will help First Nation partners as well as the Muskwa-Kechika Advisory Board through the Resources North Association support the sustainable management of this important region. The Muskwa-Kechika region is key to fostering sustainable economic development for northern B.C.”
“These funds will allow the Muskwa-Kechika advisory board to ensure that the dynamic ecosystems, wilderness, wildlife and cultural diversity of the Muskwa-Kechika Management Area are maintained in perpetuity by providing respected and trusted advice to government," said Stephanie Killam, Muskwa-Kechika advisory board member, and mayor of Mackenzie. “The Advisory Board is working to increase awareness of natural resource opportunities so they can be fully realized for the benefit of the province as a whole.”
A significant portion of the funding will support government-to-government discussions with First Nations regarding the Muskwa-Kechika board governance. The breakdown of the funding is as follows:
· $400,000 to support the Muskwa-Kechika Advisory Board in their mandate to provide government advice on the environmental and economic management of the region.
· The Treaty 8 Tribal Association, Tsay Keh Dene Band, Blueberry River First Nation, and Kaska Dena Council will each receive $25,000 to support ongoing government-to-government discussions on the Muskwa-Kechika Management Area.
The
Muskwa-Kechika Management Area is situated in northeastern B.C. and covers a
region of approximately 6.4 million hectares, which is twice the size of
Vancouver Island or approximately the size of Ireland. The area was designated
by the BC government in 1998 after years of consensus-based land use planning,
and has a globally significant abundance of wilderness, wildlife and natural
resources.
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Media Relations Ministry of Agriculture and Lands 250 387-1693 250 208-3254 cell |
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