If you have some input on proposed land uses in the Great Bear Rainforest, now’s the time to speak out. The Province has put the call out for written public input on the proposals and the potential for new biodiversity, mining and tourism areas (BMTAs), by Aug. 10, 2015.
The Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations’ conservancy plan includes “maintaining a viable forest industry” in the Great Bear Rainforest, reserving “70 per cent of historic old-growth forests (with minor exceptions).”
The Great Bear Rainforest covers 6.4 million hectares on B.C.’s north and central coast. The proposed land use order addresses First Nations cultural heritage resources, freshwater ecosystems and habitats, landscape and stand level biodiversity and bear habitat. (Copies of the proposed Great Bear Rainforest land use order, associated maps and maps of the potential BMTAs/conservancy and supporting data are available online here.
Vancouver Observer – June 10, 2015.