Background
Above: Jennings Lake,
Northern British Columbia
(Photo: Wayne Sawchuk)
For the past ten years CPAWS has been working hand in hand with other environmental groups in the north to protect large areas of wilderness. The vision to focus on this area began as a result of a 1992 meeting between environmentalist George Smith (CPAWS) and Wayne Sawchuk (Chetwynd Environmental Society), both of whom had begun working independently to protect B.C.'s Northern Rockies. That meeting led to the formation of an alliance that brought together groups from all over the northern region, and resulted in successful conclusions at the Land Use Planning tables for Fort Nelson, and Fort St. John in 1997 and at the Mackenzie table in 2000.
The Muskwa-Kechika Management Area
One of the most stunning successes achieved at a Land Use Planning table is the creation of the Muskwa-Kechika Management Area (MKMA). The model features core park protected areas and large buffer zones in legislated special management areas. The Muskwa-Kechika Advisory Board (MKAB) has representatives from various stakeholders (Forestry, Oil & Gas, Mining, Tourism, Environment, First Nations, Governments, Communities) who work at cooperative strategic planning for the area.
CPAWS has taken an active part in the completion of the LRMPs that form the basis of the MKMA, and currently both George Smith and Wayne Sawchuk sit on the MKAB.
The future
There is still work to be done in this region of the province. Land and Resource Management plans still need to be resolved in Atlin-Taku and Dease Liard (Northeastern B.C.). CPAWS-BC will continue to be involved with these land use issues.
CPAWS - British Columbia Chapter