AN ABSTRACT OF THE THESIS OF J. Patrick Mackasey for the degree of Master of Science in Forest Science presented on February 12. 1993. Title: A Sustainable Resource Development Plan Framework for the Neskonlith Indian Band. British Co1$ibia Signature redacted for privacy. Abstract approvecF V/vid A. Perry A sustainable resource development plan framework was prepared for the Neskonlith Indian Band, who are located in the interior of British Columbia, Canada. The framework intends to address issues involving; integrated resource management, traditional native land management, ecosystem management, and community-based resource management. A soft systems (Wilson & Morren, 1990) methodology was used to work with the community and help assess the current management state and to begin the process of determining the desired future condition of their land base and how this can help build the community. However, the band was prepared only to work through the first two (out of seven) stages of the methodology. The study area used was 4259 ha in size, of which 1316 ha was reserve land. A good portion of this area is forested (52.4%), primarily with interior Douglas-Fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii var, glauca). The study area is also represented by 13.9% open range, 8,2% cultivated land and a large lake (11 %). Current and past resource management activities on this area include; forestry, mining, agriculture, range, recreation, and parks. The band is interested in how the land base can be managed from an integrated resource management perspective and in learning how non-consumptive uses of the forest can be further explored. This framework attempts to answer the questions and provide the band with a working Geographic Information System database and some management alternatives to examine. A Terrasoft GIS was used, which allowed for both vector and raster processing. Data layers were compiled and assembled for a variety of resource values. These data layers were analyzed using models which produced three management alternatives. These alternatives included the following emphases: economic; ecological; and balanced. The economic alternative focused solely on resource extraction. The ecological alternative focuses on protection of the environment as the main emphasis, and large parcels of land are excluded from any resource development activities. The balanced alternative offered a balance between the first two alternatives, allowing for a reasonable level of resource management activities, while protecting important ecological components across the landscape. The trade-offs expected to be encountered with each management scenario were discussed with the community and the balanced alternative was resolved as the preferred choice. This framework is expected to be used by the band to help construct a comprehensive integrated resource management plan. Recommendations are provided with the third management alternative to assist the band with integrated resource management planning.It was concluded that although the band has much information available on resource management, they still have a great deal of work left ahead of them to become fully involved in a functional, integrated resource management program. A Sustainable Resource Development Plan Framework for the Neskonlith Indian Band, British Columbia By J. Patrick Mackasey A THESIS submitted to Oregon State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science Completed February 12, 1993 Commencement June 1993 Completed February 12, 1993 Commencement June 1993 APPROVED: Signature redacted for privacy. Pressorf Fort Scien&in charge of mgor Signature redacted for privacy. EJ6âd of departm of Forest Science Signature redacted for privacy. Dean of Gradutfe School Date thesis is presented Fehriiwy 12, 1991 Typed by P Mkciy ACKNOWLEDGEMENT I would like to gratefully acknowledge the assistance provided by my major professor, Dr. David A. Perry, whose encouragement and support helped me complete this project. His insight into ecosystem processes and enthusiasm to examine new management regimes has proved to be an inspiration during my stay in Oregon. I would also like to thank my committee members- Drs. JohnTappeiner, Steven Radosevich, and James Hall for their support. Garry Merkel, a private forestry consultant in British Columbia, provided me with much guidance in the field of native resource management, helped me structure the initial study plan and contributed a critical review of my work. I would also like to sincerely thank the band council and community members of the Neskonlith Indian Band, notably John Harrison, Chief Joyce Manuel and Patrick Adrian, especially for inviting me to conduct a thesis with their band. Members of the Shuswap Nation Tribal Council, particularly Robert Manuel, Robert Hutton, Jeff Eustache, Andre LeDressay, Vema Billy, and David Moore have been extremely supportive of my research and have provided me with valuable information, contacts and critical reviews of my project. I would like to acknowledge Forestry Canada and the British Columbia Ministry of Forests for funding provided through the Forest Resource Development Agreement II and for their support of my research.I would also like to acknowledge the Sustainable Forestry Program at Oregon State University for research funding and providing direction in such a new field. Michael Lent of the Oregon State University Research Forest provided invaluable assistance with the operation of the Geographic Information System.I am also indebted to the staff at Digital Resource Systems Ltd. for providing me with the necessary skills and assistance to successfully operate Terrasoft. Jack MacDonald of the Forest Engineering Research Institute of Canada also shared his skills with the GIS. I received unlimited assistance with my research from a wide variety of agencies, notably the following: B.C. Ministry of Forests; B.C. Ministry of Crown Lands; B.C. Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks; B.C. Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources; B.C. Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs; B.C. Ministry of Tourism, and Ministry Responsible for Culture; Thompson-Nicola Regional District; Forestry Canada; U.S.D.A. Forest Service; and Energy, Mines and Resources Canada. Finally, I would like to thank friends in Kamloops and Corvallis for their continued support and encouragement offered during the conduct of my research. TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION 1 OVERVIEW OF THE SOFT SYSTEMS METHODOLOGY 2 DESCRIPTION OF STUDY AREA 5 LITERATURE REVIEW 18 METHODS 27 SOFT SYSTEMS METHODOLOGY 31 DEVELOPMENT OF MANAGEMENT ALTERNATIVES 33 Management Alternative One 36 Management Alternative Two 37 Old-Growth Forests and Flammulated Owl Habitat 39 Corridors 40 Multiple Use Areas 40 Recreation, Alternative Plant Production and Traditional Use Areas 41 Management Alternative Three 41 RESULTS 44 OVERVIEW OF THE SOFT SYSTEMS METHODOLOGY 45 Political and Social Organization 47 Primary Tasks 48 Identified General Themes of Concern 48 Land Ethic and Economic Development 48 Socio-Economic Concerns 51 Worldview of the Shuswap People 51 Propositions for Improvement 52 RESULTS OF THE SOFT SYSTEMS METHODOLOGY 53 MANAGEMENT ALTERNATIVE ONE 55 Forestry 55 Range 58 Fisheries 58 Agriculture 59 Tourism 59 Parks 60 MANAGEMENT ALTERNATIVE TWO 61 Tourism/Recreation 61 Forestry 63 Fisheries 65 Traditional Use 65 Range 65 Agriculture 66 MANAGEMENT ALTERNATIVE THREE AND FINAL RECOMMENDATIONS 66 Forestry 70 Protection Areas/Parks/Tourism 73 Range 74 Fisheries Riparian Areas 76 Agriculture 76 Long-term Productivity Areas 77 Non-productive Lands 78 Wildlife 78 Cultural Sites and Traditional Land Usage 79 Multiple Use Areas 80 Geology 81 SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS 82 BIBLIOGRAPHY 86 LIST OF FIGURES Figure 1. Location of Neskonlith Indian Reserves and Study Area. 6 Figure 2. Current Land Classification for the Neskonlith Study Area. 7 Figure 3. Forest Resource Inventory for the Neskonlith Study Area. 10 Figure 4. Major Lifestyles of Various Canadian Aboriginal Groups. 20 Figure 5. Concepts of Dual Focus of Strategies. 22 Figure 6. Traditional Territory of the Shuswap. 46 Figure 7. Example of Mind Map Illustrating General Concerns of Community Members. 54 Figure 8. Results of GIS Analysis for Management Alternative #1. 56 Figure 9. Results of GIS Analysis for Management Alternative #2. 62 Figure 10. Results of GIS Analysis for Management Alternative #3. 67 LIST OF TABLES Table 1. The seven stages of the Soft Systems Methodology displayed in a Community-Based land management context. 4 Table 2. Resource/Cultural information compiled into the GIS for research. 29 Table 3. Weightings assigned to data layers of three management alternatives analyzed. 35 Table 4. Data Layers used in Analysis for Management Alternative One. 37 Table 5. Data Layers used in Analysis for Alternative Two. 38 Table 6. Data Layers used in Analysis for Management Alternative Three. 42 Table 7. Statistical Results of Management Alternative One. 57 Table 8. Statistical Results of Management Alternative Two. 64 Table 9. Statistical Results for Management Alternative Three. 68 A SUSTAINABLE RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT PLAN FRAMEWORK FOR THE NESKONLITH INDIAN BAND, B1UTISH COLUMBIA INTRODUCTION Concepts of new forest management practices now face managers across the world, and growing public awareness, combined with demands by other resource users and recommendations to maintain ecological components throughout landscapes, pose a new challenge to all land managers. The Neskonlith