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The Morice Land and Resource Management Plan

Posted September 15, 2013 | Categories : 81,Logging old-growth,Management,Reports |

Morice Land and Resource Management Plan (LRMP)

The Morice Land and Resource Management Plan (LRMP) planning boundaries encompass approximately 1.5 million hectares. They include the communities of Houston, Topley, Granisle, Topley Landing and rural settlements dispersed throughout the plan area. The population of the plan area is approximately 5,200.

See the full version with links on the Ministry of Environment Website at http://www.ilmb.gov.bc.ca/slrp/lrmp/smithers/morice/index.html

The public component of the Morice LRMP began in October 2002. The Table met once per month over an 18 month period, and achieved consensus on March 26, 2004. The provincial government subsequently entered into government-to-government discussions with the Office of the Wet’suwet’en, Lake Babine Nation/Nedo’ats Hereditary Chiefs and Yekooche First Nation. These discussions have enriched the LRMP with traditional and cultural information.

Government formally announced the completion and approval of the Morice LRMP on July 18, 2007. The approved plan provides a comprehensive strategic direction to guide the management of Crown land and resources. This will help foster economic prosperity, social stability and environmental sustainability for all Morice-area communities, including First Nations.

In 2008, a process was initiated to legally establish biodiversity objectives within the Morice LRMP plan area together with government agencies, the forest industry and First Nations. Notice is hereby given that, pursuant to section 93.4 of the Land Act, the Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations is proposing land use objectives for legal establishment in the Morice LRMP area. The land use objectives being proposed are consistent with the direction in the LRMP. If approved, they will result in the legal establishment of land use objectives that will further protect biodiversity in the Morice LRMP area. A 60-day public review is now being held until September 8, 2013 to provide the public an opportunity to comment on the draft objectives.

Specifically, these objectives will:

  • Protect large areas of forests greater than 140 years old from timber harvesting;
  • Save larger amounts of forests in important areas such as river corridors;
  • Leave more forests for wildlife;
  • Designate no harvesting areas; and,
  • Provide certainty regarding land-based development.

Comments should be directed in writing to: Laura Bolster, Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations, Bag 5000, 3726 Alfred Avenue, Smithers, BC, V0J 2N0, or Laura.Bolster@gov.bc.ca.

Information pertaining to the order can be found in the following information package.

See the full version with links on the Ministry of Environment Website at http://www.ilmb.gov.bc.ca/slrp/lrmp/smithers/morice/index.html