Kahtou 0004
Oct. 2000

WILLIAMS LAKE ­ The Ministry of Forests and the Cariboo Tribal Council have signed a consultation agreement on forestry activities, Cariboo South MLA David Zirnhelt announced today on behalf of Forests Minister Jim Doyle.

"This agreement helps us work towards a greater understanding and respect of each otherıs cultural differences and values,² said Zirnhelt. ³The process for communication outlined in this document will encourage the flow of information that supports good forest management decisions."

The agreement establishes a consistent and effective consultation process between the forest districts of the Cariboo region, the neighbouring districts of Robson Valley, Clearwater and Lillooet and the four bands of the Cariboo Tribal Council. The agreement is helping develop a government-to-government relationship between the parties based on trust, respect, honesty and integrity. Two years of talks preceded the final signing, and the parties involved already have a better working relationship.

Consultation topics outlined in the agreement include forest development plans and referrals from the ministry to the tribal council on forest-related activities like new woodlot licences, community forests and range tenures. Also included are referrals for watershed restoration work, forest recreation site developments and bark beetle salvage harvesting.

For their part, the tribal council will offer the ministry information on traditional uses, archeological resources, treaty interests, and socio-economic and environmental concerns.

"Close consultation will ensure First Nations concerns are addressed at an early stage in the forest planning process," said the Cariboo Tribal Council chiefs in a group statement. "There will be greater certainty for forest managers and improved resource management. The blending of First Nations traditional environmental knowledge with modern forest science will contribute to environmentally sustainable forest management. This is a positive agreement for all parties involved, including the public."

The agreement is designed to address an immediate need for more open communication and information sharing and will end when the tribal council completes the treaty process.

In addition to the consultation agreement, Zirnhelt announced immediate funding from the province and the federal government to enhance the ability of the tribal council to take part in pre-treaty forest planning and management. Annual funding of $65,000 for two years will help the council become more involved in existing forest management processes. It will also help deal with resource issues outside of treaty settlement land in the future.

"This treaty-related measure is an important first step towards the Cariboo Tribal Council participating more effectively in forest resource planning," said Zirnhelt. "The province will work with the tribal council and the federal government to find more funding to continue this process."

An implementation committee comprised of one member from each tribal council community, one member from the tribal council and five members from the Ministry of Forests will bring the consultation agreement into practice. Funding for the implementation is being negotiated with the provincial and federal governments and should result in jobs for tribal council community members.

The agreement will be in effect for two years from the date of signing. Near the end of that term, the signing parties will review the effectiveness of the agreement and either extend, amend or terminate the document.

This latest forestry memorandum follows a similar consultation agreement signed June 2 by the Cariboo Tribal Council and the Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks. The two agreements may be implemented simultaneously for efficiency.