2023 R04 – E&N Land Grant Biodiversity and Restoration
- Year: 2023
- AVICC Number: R04
- Nanaimo RD
Whereas in 1883, 8,000 sq kilometers of south-east Vancouver Island representing 20% of the island land base was granted to Robert Dunsmuir in exchange for the construction of the E&N Railway, and the E&N Land Grant has impacted Indigenous rights and title, community drinking watersheds, and the ability to protect and conserve biodiversity and sensitive ecosystems;
And whereas the federal and provincial governments have committed to the protection of 30% of the land base by 2030 as part of the provincial, national and international commitments to protect biodiversity:
Therefore be it resolved that on this 140th anniversary of the E&N Land Grant, the AVICC call upon the Governments of Canada and British Columbia to identify areas within the E&N Land Grant as a priority for the protection and conservation of biodiversity for their 2030 targets, and engage with impacted First Nations, local governments and land owners in a process to protect and restore the biodiversity of the southeast region of Vancouver Island with a focus on community watershed catchment areas, riparian areas along fish-bearing rivers and streams, sensitive ecosystems and habitats, and culturally significant areas.
- Year: 2023
- AVICC Number: R04
- Sponsor: Nanaimo RD
- Resolution Type: Regional
- Category: Land Use
- AVICC Decision: Endorsed
- AVICC Action: Conveyed to Federal Government, Conveyed to Province, Facilitated Minister Meeting at UBCM, Member Working Group
- AVICC Response: Following a meeting with the Parliamentary Secretary for Watershed Security, AVICC received the following response: Thank you and your staff for taking the time to meet with me at this year’s UBCM Convention in Vancouver to discuss your concerns regarding the impacts of the E&N land grants on eastern Vancouver Island, community drinking watersheds, the protection and conservation of biodiversity and sensitive ecosystems, and data sharing with private forestry companies. Through our engagement on the Watershed Security Strategy (the Strategy), we have consistently heard about the impacts of privately managed forest land on watersheds. The Strategy intends to address foundational priorities for holistic watershed management and protection of aquatic ecosystems, as well as options for co-governance. A $100 million investment in a Watershed Security Fund (the Fund) was also announced earlier this year. The Fund is being co-developed by the Real Estate Foundation of B.C. (REFBC) and First Nations – more details are expected soon, and questions can be directed to REFBC. Additionally, the Province is committed to partnering with the federal government, industry and communities, and working with Indigenous Peoples, to protect 30% of B.C.’s land base by 2030. As discussed during our meeting, one means of achieving this could be through Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas. Areas of high biodiversity, such as watersheds, are key in these considerations. We encourage you to continue the good work being done to collaborate with First Nations in your area and building your knowledge base through data collection. If you would like to continue the discussion please reach out to James Mack, Assistant Deputy Minister, Water, Fisheries and Coastal Policy & Planning Division (james.mack@gov.bc.ca). Since meeting in September, the Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship has become responsible for additional water, land, fish, and wildlife authorities. The attached outlines those changes in detail. Engagement sessions will be held with local governments, First Nations and stakeholders in the coming months to review these changes and to continue on work together in these priority areas. Thank you for your time. I am pleased we had the opportunity to meet about topics important to both provincial and local government.
- AVICC Response link
- UBCM Decision: Not considered - Regional
- UBCM Response link
The AVICC acknowledges that we are grateful to live, work, and play on the traditional territories of theCoast Salish, Nuu-Chah-Nulth and Kwak-Waka’wakw Peoples