“We have been working on a government-to-government basis with the Squamish Nation for almost two years to develop a common vision for land use in their traditional territories,” said Bell. “Today we are signing an agreement to protect key First Nations interests as well as to clearly establish certainty principles for the natural resource sectors in the plan area.”
Complementary to the land-use agreement, the Ministry of Environment and the Squamish Nation have signed the Collaborative Agreement for the Management of Protected Areas in Squamish Nation Traditional Territory. It sets up a collaborative process for management of protected areas, including new conservancies established through the land-use plan, as well as existing provincial parks. Squamish interests will be recognized, including the uniqueness of Squamish Wild Spirit Places.
“We are building a new relationship with Aboriginal people based on mutual respect, recognition and reconciliation. This agreement is a perfect example of how we can work collaboratively,” said Mike de Jong, Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation. “Through our partnership with the Squamish Nation, we’re ensuring that sustainable management of land and resources in the region is achieved.”
“This agreement represents an important step forward,” said Chief Bill Williams of the Squamish Nation. “It outlines an effective framework for land use in our traditional territories and helps us to move forward in local economic development as well as establishing new conservancies and cultural management areas.”
“New conservation areas are set aside in perpetuity and will be enjoyed by our children and grandchildren,” said Chief Gibby Jacob of the Squamish Nation. “This agreement will ensure new and exciting opportunities for our people.”
The Province and Squamish Nation have agreed to:
* Establish two new Conservancies: Elaho (10,112 ha) adjacent to Clendinning Provincial Park and West Squamish (1,082 ha) adjacent to Tantalus Provincial Park, adding over 11,000 ha of new protected areas, a total nearly 30 times larger than Vancouver’s Stanley Park;
* Designate most of the Sims Creek valley and part of the Elaho as a Wildland zone, where mining and tourism are permitted, but commercial logging is not;
* Manage other parts of three Squamish Nation Wild Spirit Places as Special Cultural Management Areas, where resource development is permitted subject to specific rules to conserve wildlife habitat and cultural features;
* Participate in collaborative management of fish and wildlife; and
* Recognize 22 cultural sites ranging in size from 60 to 410 ha, for a total of 3,063 ha protecting Squamish cultural values including traditional use areas, village sites and sacred places.
“We share a common vision for the region,” said Joan McIntyre, MLA for West Vancouver-Garibaldi. “By working together, we can ensure that our plan for sustainable resource management will benefit all of the region’s residents in the long term.”