August 8, 2013
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August 8, 2013 The Sahtu Land Use Plan and supporting documents can be downloaded at: www.sahtulanduseplan.org Sahtu Land Use Planning Board PO Box 235 Fort Good Hope, NT X0E 0H0 Phone: 867-598-2055 Fax: 867-598-2545 Email: [email protected] Website: www.sahtulanduseplan.org i Cover Art: “The New Landscape” by Bern Will Brown From the Sahtu Land Use Planning Board April 29, 2013 The Sahtu Land Use Planning Board is pleased to present the final Sahtu Land Use Plan. This document represents the culmination of 15 years of land use planning with the purpose of protecting and promoting the existing and future well-being of the residents and communities of the Sahtu Settlement Area, having regard for the interests of all Canadians. From its beginnings in 1998, the Board’s early years focused on research, mapping, and public consultations to develop the goals and vision that are the foundation of the plan. From this a succession of 3 Draft Plans were written. Each Plan was submitted to a rigorous review process and refined through public meetings and written comments. This open and inclusive process was based on a balanced approach that considered how land use impacts the economic, cultural, social, and environmental values of the Sahtu Settlement Area. The current board would like to acknowledge the contributions of former board members and staff that helped us arrive at this significant milestone. Also, we would like to extend our gratitude to the numerous individuals and organizations who offered their time, energy, ideas, opinions, and suggestions that shaped the final Sahtu Land Use Plan. Continuing to move forward, we prepare for ongoing participation and productive engagement with our planning partners as we look toward implementing and monitoring this living document. Mahsi, Heather Bourassa, Chairperson Danny Bayha, Vice Chair (GNWT Nominee) Bob Overvold, Board Member (Canada Nominee) Collin Bayha, Board Member (SSI Nominee) iii Sahtu Land Use Plan TABLE OF CONTENTS Acronyms .............................................................................................................................. 4 Definitions ............................................................................................................................ 5 CHAPTER 1- INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................. 7 1.1 Land Use Planning in an Integrated System of Land and Water Management ................... 7 1.2 Mandate for Land Use Planning in the Sahtu Settlement Area .......................................... 8 1.3 The Sahtu Land Use Plan .................................................................................................. 9 1.4 Guiding Principles ............................................................................................................ 9 1.5 Vision and Goals ............................................................................................................ 11 1.5.1 Vision ..................................................................................................................................11 1.5.2 Goals ...................................................................................................................................13 1.6 District-Level Direction for Planning Outside of Community Boundaries ......................... 14 1.6.1 The Great Bear Lake Watershed Management Plan .............................................................. 15 1.6.2 The Fort Good Hope-Colville Lake Group Trapping Area ........................................................ 15 1.6.3 Tulita District Elder’s Zoning Workshops ............................................................................... 17 1.7 Supporting Documents for the Plan ................................................................................ 17 CHAPTER 2- APPLICATION AND EFFECT OF THE PLAN ................................................. 18 2.1 Area of Application ........................................................................................................ 18 2.2 Application of the Plan to Protected Areas ..................................................................... 20 2.3 Land Ownership ............................................................................................................. 21 2.4 Application to Land Use Activities and Applicants........................................................... 21 2.5 Plan Exemptions ............................................................................................................ 21 A. Emergency Activities ................................................................................................................ 22 B. Sahtu Dene and Metis Harvesting Rights ................................................................................... 22 C. Activities Carried Out Within Established Protected Areas ......................................................... 22 D. Application to Land Uses that are a Legacy of Decisions Before the Approval of the Plan ........... 22 E. Municipal Infrastructure that Would be Prohibited by Zoning .................................................... 25 F. Cleanup and Reclamation Activities ........................................................................................... 25 2.6 Authorization to Grant Exceptions to the Plan ................................................................ 25 2.7 Effect of the Plan ........................................................................................................... 26 Adopted: April 29, 2013 Approved: August 8, 2013 1 CHAPTER 3- CONFORMITY REQUIREMENTS: ZONING CONDITIONS FOR DEVELOPMENT ................................................................................................................. 27 3.1 Spatial Application of Conformity Requirements ............................................................ 27 3.2 Introduction to Land Use Zoning .................................................................................... 28 3.3 General Conformity Requirements ................................................................................. 29 CR #1- Land Use Zoning ................................................................................................................ 29 CR #2- Community Engagement and Traditional Knowledge .......................................................... 36 CR #3- Community Benefits .......................................................................................................... 37 CR #4- Archaeological Sites and Burial Sites................................................................................... 38 CR #5- Watershed Management ................................................................................................... 38 CR #6- Drinking Water .................................................................................................................. 38 CR #7- Fish and Wildlife ................................................................................................................ 39 CR #8- Species Introductions ......................................................................................................... 42 CR #9- Sensitive Species and Features ........................................................................................... 42 CR #10- Permafrost ...................................................................................................................... 45 CR #11- Project-Specific Monitoring .............................................................................................. 45 CR #12- Financial Security ............................................................................................................. 45 CR #13- Closure and Reclamation .................................................................................................. 45 3.4 Special Management Conformity Requirements ............................................................. 46 CR #14- Protection of Special Values ............................................................................................. 46 CR #15- The Great Bear Lake Watershed ....................................................................................... 46 CR #16- Fish Farming and Aquaculture .......................................................................................... 47 CR #17- Disturbance of Lakebed .................................................................................................... 47 CR #18- Uses of Du K’ets’Edi Conservation Zone (Sentinel Islands) ................................................. 47 CR #19- Water Withdrawal ........................................................................................................... 48 CHAPTER 4- ACTIONS AND RECOMENDATIONS ............................................................. 49 4.1 Introduction .................................................................................................................. 49 4.2 Actions .......................................................................................................................... 49 Action #1 - Sahtu Land Use Working Group ................................................................................... 49 Action #2 - Inspection and Enforcement Priorities ......................................................................... 51 Action #3 - Access to Wildlife Information ....................................................................................