THE CENTRAL COAST LAND AND RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN: AN EVALUATION OF COLLABORATIVE PLANNING IN BRITISH COLUMBIA Andrea Cullen B.Sc. Environmental Science, Royal Roads University, 2000 RESEARCH PROJECT SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF RESOURCE MANAGEMENT In the School of Resource and Environmental Management Report No. 397 O Andrea Cullen 2006 SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY Spring 2006 All rights reserved. This work may not be reproduced in whole or in part, by photocopy or other means, without permission of the author APPROVAL Name: Andrea Cullen Degree: Masters Resource Management - Planning Report Number: 397 Title of Project: The Central Coast Land and Resource Management Plan: An Evaluation of Collaborative Planning in British Columbia Supervisory Committee: Senior Supervisor: Thomas I. Gunton Professor School of Resource and Environmental Management Committee Member: John Chadwick Day Professor Emeritus School of Resource and Environmental Management Date DefendedIApproved: I SIMON FRASER . UNIVERSITY~I bra ry DECLARATION OF PARTIAL COPYRIGHT LICENCE The author, whose copyright is declared on the title page of this work, has granted to Simon Fraser University the right to lend this thesis, project or extended essay to users of the Simon Fraser University Library, and to make partial or single copies only for such users or in response to a request from the library of any other university, or other educational institution, on its own behalf or for one of its users. The author has further granted permission to Simon Fraser University to keep or make a digital copy for use in its circulating collection, and, without changing the content, to translate the thesislproject or extended essays, if technically possible, to any medium or format for the purpose of preservation of the digital work. The author has further agreed that permission for multiple copying of this work for scholarly purposes may be granted by either the author or the Dean of Graduate Studies. It is understood that copying or publication of this work for financial gain shall not be allowed without the author's written permission. Permission for public performance, or limited permission for private scholarly use, of any multimedia materials forming part of this work, may have been granted by the author. This information may be found on the separately catalogued multimedia material and in the signed Partial Copyright Licence. The original Partial Copyright Licence attesting to these terms, and signed by this author, may be found in the original bound copy of this work, retained in the Simon Fraser University Archive. Simon Fraser University Library Burnaby, BC, Canada SIMON FRASER &&aFP UNIVERSITY~ ibrary STATEMENT OF ETHICS APPROVAL The author, whose name appears on the title page of this work, has obtained, for the research described in this work, either: (a) Human research ethics approval from the Simon Fraser University Office of Research Ethics, (b) Advance approval of the animal care protocol from the University Animal Care Committee of Simon Fraser University; or has conducted the research (c) as a co-investigator, in a research project approved in advance, (d) as a member of a course approved in advance for minimal risk human research, by the Office of Research Ethics. A copy of the approval letter has been filed at the Theses Office of the University Library at the time of submission of this thesis or project. The original application for approval and letter of approval are filed with the relevant offices. Inquiries may be directed to those authorities. Bennett Library Simon Fraser University Burnaby, BC, Canada ABSTRACT Resolving conflict over allocation of natural resources is a significant challenge facing resource managers. Collaborative planning (CP) recently emerged as one approach to solving such conflict. This case study presents findings from an evaluation of the Central Coast Land and Resource Management Plan, one of multiple CP processes completed in British Columbia since 1992. Results indicate CP provided stakeholders of the Central Coast with a powerful tool to resolve conflict and develop a shared vision for resource management. Benefits of CP went beyond the final land use plan to create knowledge and increase social capital. However, power imbalance at the negotiation table left certain sectors out, First Nations were not fully engaged, and public accountability was lacking. Nonetheless, the final land use plan far exceeds what would have resulted from previous approaches to planning and new relationships formed; supporting results from previous CP research. Key words: British Columbia, collaborative planning, cross-cultural negotiations, government-to-government negotiations, land and resource management plans I dedicate this work to the people of the Central Coast, whose story I have only begun to understand. To all the sector representatives who took the time to complete my survey and speak with me on the phone; this research would not exist without your contributions. Your reflections on the CCLRMP will assist hture planners create improved collaborative processes. I hope I told your part in this incredible journey well. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I could not have completed this project without the guidance, support, and encouragement of many people: faculty, family, and friends. I would like to thank Tom Gunton for inviting me to REM, and guiding me through this research project. I am one step closer to being an effective bureaucrat thanks to Tom, and certainly feel blessed for the wealth of knowledge I have gained from all the faculty and students in REM. Much appreciation to Chad Day for enduring my daily phone calls as I struggled (at the last minute) to get a grip on the Chicago Manual. I am sure this project is a much better product as a result of Chad's dedication to detail. And without Bev Hunter, who knows where I would be. Considering the mayhem REM has survived since September, that Bev has kept, not only her head, but all of ours, above water, speaks to her amazing capabilities. I have no doubt Bev will ensure many more students arrive here - at completion. To my family, a million thanks. I have always believed I could accomplish any task before me. There is not a doubt in my mind that each of you is the source of this strength. To the friends who offered support and guidance from across the Rockies, thank you for believing in me and visiting whenever you could. Every weekend I took off to spend with you was a small gift that contributed to this project in immense ways. To all direct and affiliate members of the Durka Den, thank you for Monday Night Laugh Yoga, for feeding me when the computer was eating my brain, and providing encouraging words when I did not believe anymore. If nothing else this research has proven that laughter truly is the best medicine. To my colleagues and friends at REM. I have learned a lot in my short time here, and I have each of you to thank for that. Never before have I encountered such a challenging, yet encouraging and supportive, group of people. Every time you called me up to bat, I learned another important life lesson. WOW -AH, GM, IP, KP - You ROCK! Finally, I must thank Herb DaSilva of Spartacus Athletic Club. Herb, you kept my body together while I was losing my mind. I can only shake my head at what would have happened without your classes. TABLE OF CONTENTS .. Approval ............................................................................................................................11 ... Abstract .............................................................................................................................111 Dedication ........................................................................................................................ iv Acknowledgments .............................................................................................................. v .. Table of Contents ............................................................................................................v11 List of Figures ................................................................................................................... xi ... List of Tables .................................................................................................................. xu1 List of Acronyms ............................................................................................................ xiv Chapter 1: Introduction .................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Research context ..............................................................................................1 1.1.1 The evolution of CP in Canada and BC .......................................................1 1.2 Research overview ...........................................................................................2 1.2.1 The Central Coast Region ............................................................................4 1.2.2 Purpose and objectives ................................................................................5 1.2.3 Methodology ................................................................................................5 1.3 Report outline ..................................................................................................6 Chapter 2: Collaborative Planning .................................................................................. 7 Collaborative