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Taku Land Use and Wildlife Management

webmaster : Apr 7.2008

Congratulations to the Taku River Tlingit First Nation (TRTFN) for their recent Framework Agreement signing with BC for shared decision making respecting land use and wildlife management. 

Pictured above are Taku River Tlingit First Nation spokesperson Sandra Jack and BC Minister of Agriculture and Lands, Pat Bell.  They’re standing on either side of a poster that signals the end of the land use framework agreement process, and the beginning of a two to three year land use planning and implementation process in the Taku watershed.  Which areas will be set aside for development?  Which areas will be conserved or identified as off-limits to industrial development?  Which areas do the Taku River Tlingit hold dearest in terms of cultural and historical significance?  Some zoning decisions or land designations may end up being fairly straight-forward, whereas others  may take years of negotiation.  Decision-makers involved acknowledge there will be difficulties during the process to come.  Three Taku River First Nation representatives, two provincial representatives, and a member representing the Atlin Advisory Planning Commission (AAPC) will be at the table during this shared decision making process.  The framework has put into place a structure that will have enormous significance for wildlife, fish, land and water in the Taku.

See BC’s Ministry of Agriculture and Lands news release. 

At the signing ceremony Minister Bell praised TRTFN leadership and particularly the TRTFN spokesperson. "We are here today thanks in large part to Sandra Jack’s leadership, and her willingness to work collaboratively with the province," said Bell.  He predicted that the co-management planning process in the Taku would likely be a model for the rest of BC.  It would also put the "New Relationship" between BC and First Nations into practice in this land use planning context.

The Taku is a region of high biodiversity, sublime landscapes, and little development.  Hopefully a vision that goes beyond sustainable development (taking into account the rich wildlife of the region and the unparalleled salmon runs of the Taku River) will be drawn up by BC, TRTFN and the AAPC.