A reported audit from BC’s Forestry practices board has found that Tahltan Nation Development Corporation complied with the Forest and Range Practices Act and Wildfire Act in all significant respects on its 3.2-million-hectare First Nations Woodland Licence N3E. The audit examined harvesting, road and bridge work, and wildfire protection. The board says the audit confirmed good forestry planning and practices, while outlining four areas for improvement.
Meanwhile, the Tahltan Nation has announced that it has agreed to formally begin collaborating with the province of BC on a Phase 1 Land Use Plan, which they say is a significant milestone in advancing Tahltan stewardship goals. The Tahltan Nation has developed and finalized a Tahltan Stewardship Plan through the Tahltan Stewardship Initiative, which they say outlines Tahltan principles for caring for and stewarding all land within Tahltan Territory.
They say that after a decade of work on the project, they are now progressing to the next phase.
Phase 1 of the Land Use Plan aims to conserve and permanently protect vital areas like Klappan, Level Mountain, Sheslay, and Tahltan Lake. It also seeks to enhance co-management and shared governance tools to sustainably manage resource development.
And in a release from the province, they say they are also working on the land use plans with the Taku River Tlingit, Kaska Dena, Gitanyow and Nisga’a Nations.
The province says that last week, Premier David Eby outlined government’s vision for building prosperity centred on economic growth, reconciliation and conservation in Northwestern B.C. The vision includes partnering with First Nations to achieve large-scale conservation and strengthen reconciliation.
Engagement on the land-use plans will begin in the coming weeks.