Clayoquot Tenure for Native Firm OK'd
10/5/99
*******************************
RELAYED TEXT STARTS HERE:
Title: CLAYOQUOT Tenure for Native Firm OK'd
Source: Environment News Service, http://www.ens.lycos.com/
Status: Copyright 1999, contact source for permission to reprint
Date: October 5, 1999
TOFINO, British Columbia, Canada, October 5, 1999 (ENS) - The
transfer of the Clayoquot Sound portion of MacMillan Bloedel's tree
farm licence 44 to Iisaak Forest Resources has been approved in
principle, increasing local control and employment opportunities for
First Nations, Forests Minister David Zirnhelt announced today.
Clayoquot Sound on Vancouver Island contains an old-growth forest in
which forest activists have protested logging for at least 10 years.
Iisaak is a new company, owned 51 per cent by Ma Mook Natural
Resources Ltd. (Nuu-Chah-Nulth Central Region First Nations) and 49
per cent by MacMillan Bloedel. The approval in principle involves
most of the Crown land harvesting rights in the Clayoquot portion of
tree farm licence 44 plus 15 timber licences within tree farm licence
44 and six timber licences outside the licence.
A partnership between Macmillan Bloedel, the native people, and
environmentalists worked out this spring has resulted in the
formation of the Iisaak company to conduct sustainable harvesting and
ecotourism in the Clayoquot.
"Establishing this new tree farm licence for Iisaak supports the
innovative partnership of the Nuu-Chah-Nulth Central Region First
Nations and MacMillan Bloedel," Zirnhelt said. "This move provides a
good foundation for eco-forestry in the Clayoquot Sound. It's a bold,
new way to manage our forests, the right kind of approach for this
sensitive area."
Iisaak intends to carry out forest operations based on conservation,
ecosystem management, and First Nations values. Harvesting activities
will meet the spirit and intent of the 1995 scientific panel
recommendations on eco-system-based forestry in Clayoquot Sound,
which was compiled by a group of scientists and First Nations.
"Iisaak is a good example of industry working with First Nations to
share resources and economic benefits," said provincial Aboriginal
Affairs Minister Dale Lovick. "I hope it encourages more co-operative
approaches to resource management in other communities around the
province."
"This is the first step in self-sufficiency for the Central Region
First Nations," said Joe Campbell, chair of Iisaak Forest Resources.
"The transfer of tenure to Iisaak gives us the right to manage
resources on our traditional lands," added Larry Baird, spokesperson
for the Central Region First Nations and an Iisaak board member.
"The event is more than a simple licence transfer. It's a celebration
of what can be done when communities and industry work together to
support local needs and values," said Alberni MLA Gerard Janssen, who
represents the district in the provincial legislature.
"This is an exciting moment in the history of B.C.'s forest
industry," said Linda Coady, vice-president of environmental
enterprise for MacMillan Bloedel. "It marks the creation of a forest
tenure in B.C. under First Nations leadership dedicated to developing
new collaborative approaches to management in forests with high
conservation values. This new tenure is the result of years of hard
work by a variety of groups and individuals dedicated to making a
difference in the way forests are managed in Clayoquot Sound."
Before making a decision on the licence transfer, the minister of
forests had Vancouver lawyer Daniel Johnston chair public meetings
for Port Alberni, Ucluelet, and Tofino residents. Johnston's report
concluded there was wide support for the transfer.
"My decision takes into account input received during public
consultations as well as other social, economic, and market-related
considerations," said Zirnhelt. "Approving this transfer shows
government's commitment to exploring new forest management options,
as demonstrated by the community forest pilot project and the forest
policy review now under way. Government will watch Iisaak's progress
with interest."
Before the licence transfer is finalized, Iisaak Forest Resources
must meet conditions outlined in the approval-in-principle letter
provided by the minister. These conditions address administrative
requirements and, to the greatest extent possible, concerns raised
during the public consultation process.
As required by the Forest Act, the Crown will recover five percent of
the volume of the allowable annual cut from the Crown lands being
transferred (about 5,000 cubic metres) and five percent of the value
of the timber standing within each timber licence area. Iisaak can
apply to have the five percent volume reinstated by submitting a job
creation plan for the minister's consideration.