LANDS AND RESOURCES

Indian River Watershed Planning
...caring for the land and resources in tsleil-waututh territory

The Indian River watershed forms the heartland of Tsleil-Waututh traditional territory, used since time out of mind by the Tsleil-Waututh people. Today, it is among the most heavily impacted areas in British Columbia. The Tsleil-Waututh vision for the watershed is that "the river will be healed, the salmon will flourish, the forest will be carefully harvested, meaningful training and jobs will be provided, and Tsleil-Waututh culture will flourish."

The planning process will address these and other issues of importance in the watershed.

A First in British Columbia

In other land use planning processes around the province, First Nations have been consulted during the process, or participated as one of the major stakeholders. The preparation of the Indian River Plan is the first time that a First Nation is leading a provincial planning process.

The Tsleil-Waututh people are stewards of their traditional territory, caring for the land, water, and resources in Tsleil-Waututh territory. The Tsleil-Waututh Nation brings balance to discussions where environmental concerns and economic demands are in conflict, for the good of the land and water, resulting in sustainable outcomes.

Indian River Watershed

Members of the Tsleil-Waututh Nation have utilized the Indian River watershed, since time out of mind, and continue to use it today. As part of a yearly round of activity the watershed was harvested, and continues to be harvested, for renewable resources like salmon, deer, cedar, berries and medicinal plants.

Today, it is among the most heavily impacted areas in the Province of British Columbia. Historic logging practices, hydro transmission line construction and industrial activities in Burrard Inlet have had major adverse effects on the environment. Based on the nature and extent of these impacts, the Indian River has been identified by the Provincial Government as one of the top ten priority watersheds for restoration.

The watershed is approximately 193 km2 in area and contains an estimated 750 km of stream channels, many of which are fish-bearing. The topography is typical of Coast Range watersheds with the headwaters located in steep, alpine terrain and a main U-shaped valley of glacial origin bisecting the approximate centre of the watershed. The Indian River flows 36 km from its headwaters to its outfall at the head of Indian Arm.

Landscape-Level Planning

The Indian River Watershed Integrated Land & Resource Management Plan will set values and goals for the watershed, based on the Tsleil-Waututh Nation's cultural, social, ecological, and economic interests.

The outcome will be a landscape-level plan, sometimes called a Sustainable Resource Management Plans or SRMP, which will set management direction and provincial policy in the Indian River watershed.

Planning Process

On December 16, 2005, the Tsleil-Waututh Nation and the Province of British Columbia entered into a partnership agreement to develop "An Integrated Land and Resource Management Plan for the Indian River Watershed."

The Steering Committee provides direction to the planning process through regular meetings. It is made up of three representatives from the Tsleil-Waututh Nation and three representatives from the BC Government. The Steering Committee is the body to make a final recommendation about the final plan to the BC government and the Tsleil-Waututh Nation.

The Steering Committee will be supported by a project Technical Team. A public consultation process is being developed.

More Information

Links:
Map of planning area
Project Terms of Reference -- forthcoming
Consultation Schedule -- forthcoming
BC Sustainable Resources Management Planning Processes
BC Sea-to-Sky Land and Resource Management Plan