Schedule 4: Recommended Fort Nelson Land and Resource
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SCHEDULE 4 RECOMMENDED FORT NELSON LAND AND RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN < > Recommended � I : Fort Nelson ! A Component of British Columbia's Land Use Strategy Land and Resource Management Plan a. � C( _J Fort Nelson EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The Fort Nelson Land and Resource Management Plan (LRMP) is a full consensus recommendation on all aspects of land and resource management within a 98 000 square kilometre area built through participation by the public, local indusryt and government resource agencies. This Plan results in no anticipatedjob losses, stability for all resource-based industries such as tourism, oil and gas, mining and timber; seven proposed protected areas; a recommendation for a planning framework to provide co-operative and co-ordinated planning management in the Muskwa-Kechika; and an improved outlook for recreational activities and wildlife. The FortNelson Land and Resource Management Plan (LRMP) recommendations have been built over a four year time-frame by a core group of30 people. This group consisted of a solid cross section of public participants with local, regional and provincial interests, and agency staff, representing a wide range of values including access, agriculture, biodiversity, energy, forestry, guide outfitting, minerals, outdoor recreation and tourism, soil, transportation and utility corridors, trapping, visual quality, water and wildlife. The LRMP table worked with an "open-door" policy, using sectorbased negotiations. Local First Nations expressed aninterest inthe process, but chose not to participate. This was in part due to concerns that participation may compromise treaty negotiations, in addition to staffing andresource constraints. They were apprised of the LRMP progress through personal contacts, formal communications and the LRMPupdate packages, which were widely distributed. AlthoughFirst Nations were not formally represented at the LRMP Working Group, archaeological, cultural and heritage values were strongly endorsed by all the LRMP participants. This LRMP divides a 9. 8 millionhectare landbase into thirty-seven Resource Management Zones (RMZs), which are grouped into four different categories. 1. Enhanced Resource Development - Representing approximately 36% (3,564,900 hectares) of the land base. This category gives direction to manage land for oil and gas, mineral andtimber resources, with an emphasis on the recreation and tourism resources along the Alaska Highway corridor. This category is made up of the Resource Management Zones where investments in resource development are Recommended Fort Nelson Land and Resource Management Plan encouraged. This category builds on existing legislation and regulations. There are 4 RMZs in this category. 2. General Resource Development- Representing approximately 24% I (2,445,000 hectares) of the land base The intent in this category is to manage for a wide array of integrated resource values. In these RMZs resource development will be integrated with the requirements of other I resource values. Developments are subject to all applicable provincial regulations. There are 1O RMZs in this category. Major River Corridors Sub-Category- Identified to highlight the rJ management of the important values within the river corridors such as archaeological, cultural, heritage, recreational, scenic, timber and energy. 3. Muskwa-Kechika Special Management - Representing approximately 29% (2,911,700 hectares)ofthe land base. This category gives direction to manage in such a way that resource development can proceed while minimizing impacts on other resource values. The Resource Management Zones within this category contain the most restrictive objectives and strategies for development. There are 16 RMZs in this category. Major River Corridors Sub-Category - Identified to highlight management of all the important values within the river corridors such as archaeological, cultural, heritage, recreational, riparian, wildlife habitat and industrial. 4. Proposed Protected Area - Representing approximately 11 % (1,051,000 hectares) of the land base. This category contains the zones that are r proposed for protected area designation for natural, cultural, heritage and/or recreational values as defined by the Protected Area Strategy for BC. Logging, mining, energy and hydroelectric exploration and development are prohibited in those areas designated under the Park Act. There are 7 Goal 1 Resource Management Zones and 13 Goal 2 sites identified in this category. All the Proposed Protected Areas stand alone within the Fort Nelson Plan area as functioning units. Additionally, long term solutions were developed for the tenured oil and gas interest in the Thinatea and Prophet River Recreation Area Proposed Protected Areas. • Denetiah (97,200 ha) - This area provides a cross-section of the Rocky Mountain Trench, other special features are Dall and Denetiah lakes, with the intact Denetiah watershed, and the historic Davie Trail. The remote nature of this area enhances its recreation experience. Access corridor will be allowed; the section across the Rocky Mountain Trench to be designated in such a way as to maintain the opportunity for access. Recommended Fort Nelson Land and Resource Management Plan ii • Kina Lakes (28,600 ha) - Located in the south-eastern portion of the plan area this zone has significant archaeological value with a traditional historic commercial fishery site, a significant native village, native pack trails, an old wagon trail and a spiritual site. The entire area has very high scenic qualities of escarpments/cuesta topography, along with high recreation use. This area provides representation of the Muskwa Plateau Ecosection. • Liard River Corridor (81,900 ha) - Featuring the Grand Canyon of the Liard, ammonite fossils, a bolted steel and wooden oil derrick, Hudson's Bay Trading Post, archaeological sites and significant grizzly bear habitat. The Liard River Corridor is representative of the Hyland Highlands Ecosection and could be considered as a Heritage River candidate. Designation on this area has to take into account the Alaska Highway Pipeline reserve. Any access for utility through this proposed protected area will be subject to the management plan. • Maxhamish Lake (27,600 ha)-Featuring a large lake with white sandy beaches this Proposed Protected Area supports significant recreational opportunity in an area rich with wateifowl and fish values. This area also provides representation of the Etsho Plateau Ecosection. The type of designation on this area has to allow for the opportunity in the future for an access route to the lake for recreational purposes. • Northern Rocky Mountains (635,900 ha)- The largest of the Proposed Protected Areas this zone rests in the southern portion of the plan area and provides a core for the large intact predator/prey system that exists together with high density and diver~ity of large mammal species. The zones has some of the highest, most rugged mountains, and is substantially unroaded and undeveloped. This area has high wildlife and recreation value; and is very significant for wilderness and back country recreation experiences. This area provides excellent representation of the Eastern Muskwa Ranges and Muskwa Foothills ecosections. Within it there are special features such as Sleeping Chief Mountain, Mount Sylvia, Mount Mary Henry, significant wetlands along the Tuchodi River and the historic Bedeaux Trail. The Northern Rocky Mountains is the centre piece proposed protected area - combined with adjacent existing and proposed protected areas, a new Protected Area of771,793 hectares in size will protect significant values in the area. • Thinatea (19,500 ha)- This area provides representation of the Petitot Plain Ecosection. It is a good example of muskeg mixed with Recommended Fort Nelson Land and Resource Management Plan iii some associated upland forest. There is a significant stand of Jackpine in the RMZ; the area is important for habitat values, especially for waterfowl. The designation on the area has to consider existing oil and gas tenures with the Proposed Protected Area, and provide for the opportunity to directionally drill for pipeline purposes r under the north arm. r • Wokkpash (37,500 ha) - This zone is a Recreation Area. It has attained international significance with the Wokkpash Gorge (hoodoo canyon- 5 Km in length 30 m in height); Forlorn Gorge (narrow cleft r - 150 m deep and 25 m wide); Fusillier Glacier and stepped lakes; with significant recreation values such as hiking, camping, wildlife viewing, fishing, horseback riding and hunting. I • Goal 2-13 small areas (8,500 ba) - Site specific features such as ii provincially or regionally significant hot springs, archaeological sites, I rare ecosystems and recreation areas. The LRMP WG has allotted 1800 ha for the protection of old growth into this total; the location and stand type has not been determined yet. (A LRMP Working Group Subcommittee has been charged with the completion of this task, and is to report back by the first annual monitoring meeting). I The Plan has developed three levels of management direction. 1. General Management Direction: - applies to all values and resources on Crown land; - applies as a baseline for management; and - enhances and supports legislation, policies, existing processes and operational guidelines. 2. Category Management Direction: - combination of similar Resource Management Zones; - refines management regimes for the combination of RMZs; - reflects interest-based nature of the plan; and 3. RMZ