The Agreements
On March 31, 2009 environmental groups along with the BC Government, industry and First Nations announced the implementation of key milestones set in February of 2006. A system of Ecosystem-Based Management, together with Protectred Areas, now accounts for the protection of 50% of the natural level of old growth forest in the region. The 2009 agreement also includes a five-year plan to fully achieve EBM's concurrent goals of low ecological risk and high quality of life in communities by 2014.
| Milestones achieved: 2006 – 2009 | Next steps: 2009 – 2014 |
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Protected areas legislated
2.1 million hectares protected from logging in conservancies, parks and biodiversity areas, covering one third of the Central and North Coast.
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Reserve Network
By the end of 2009 or early 2010 an initial reserve network will be developed outside of protected areas, followed by a more detailed reserve network by March 2014. |
Lighter touch logging implemented
New logging regulations require the maintenance
of 50% of the natural level of old growth of all forest ecosystems across the region. |
Logging regulations amended
By March 2014 logging regulations will be reviewed and amended to achieve the goal of low ecological risk for the forest and key species. |
Funding the conservation economy
A $120 million funding package for conservation management and ecologically sustainable business ventures in First Nation territories.
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Building the conservation economy
Transition underway from an economy based on resource-extraction to a diversified conservation economy with a high quality of life in coastal communities. |
New governance and decision-making
First Nations and the BC government have developed a new government-to-government relationship, and mechanisms for collaborative stakeholder involvement. |
Ongoing collaborative planning
Provincial and First Nation governments, environmen¬tal organizations and logging companies will engage in collaborative planning guided by a five year work-plan. |
More about the Great Bear Rainforest Agreements:
March 31 2009 Agreements Backgrounder
