Plan Development: Participants and Process

Cabinet initiated the Lillooet LRMP in November 1995 as a consensus-based sub-regional planning process consistent with the Provincial Land Use Charter (1992) and Land and Resource Management Planning: A Statement of Principles and Process (1993).

A year earlier, in 1994, the Lillooet and District Community Resources Board (CRB) had formed to provide a focus for local participation and leadership in the land use planning process. The CRB embraced and articulated a broad range of community perspectives and was a partner with the province in steering plan development until 2001.

Between June 1996 and March 2001 the plan was developed by a round-table style of public committee (the LRMP “Table”). The CRB formed the core of the LRMP Table which also included representatives of local businesses, provincial conservation, recreation and mining interests, and local governments. The District of Lillooet was represented by its mayor and the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District was represented by its directors, while the Thompson-Nicola Regional District monitored the process and provided comments. Local governments, including the Village of Lytton (through its mayor), also had opportunity to provide input on the planning process through a Process Advisory Committee. Staff from provincial and federal regulatory agencies supported the Table with technical information, analysis and policy advice.

First Nations were encouraged to participate throughout the planning process. The Siska Indian Band maintained consistent representation at LRMP Table meetings. Both Siska and the N’Quatqua First Nation (Anderson Lake Indian Band) provided written comments on planning products. Several other bands and tribal councils observed Table meetings or participated in presentations.

In October 2000, government gave the Table a March 2001 deadline to complete the plan. Since a full land use plan was not attainable, the Table adopted a phased approach. Phase 1 was to include recommendations on major land and resource management issues, including protected areas. Phase 2 was to refine management direction and develop strategies for plan implementation.

Unable to reach consensus on a single land use scenario, the Table adopted a “final offer selection” approach to their Phase 1 recommendations. In March, 2001, two groups (the Lillooet Communities Coalition and the Conservation, Recreation, Tourism and Community group) submitted separate recommendations to government, with the understanding that all Table members would support whichever option was accepted in its entirety.

In April 2001, government announced its approval in principle of recommendations from the Conservation, Recreation, Tourism and Community group. Following the May 2001 election government reviewed the Phase 1 decision and concluded it was not a sound basis for completing the plan. In November 2001, government directed the Ministry of Sustainable Resource Management (MSRM) to complete the LRMP. Two discussion drafts were prepared by MSRM, drawing on the extensive work of the LRMP Table, as well as input from First Nations, the public and government agencies. Written comments were received from Lil’wat Nation (Mount Currie Band), the Nicola Tribal Association, and N’Quatqua First Nation (Anderson Lake Band). Public consultation ended in March 2002.

Rapid changes in land-use planning policy meant adapting the discussion drafts to new, results-based regulations and rebalancing economic, social and environmental themes. Descriptive and prescriptive material was also reduced. Management direction was evaluated through socio-economic and environmental assessments on an ongoing basis prior to Cabinet’s approval to release this version of the plan.

This document is intended for use during consultations with First Nations. Initial consultations will be limited to legal land use designations and zones as recommended by the Lillooet LRMP. Other components of the plan may be incorporated into the formal consultation mandate later on. To date, agreements to review the plan have been reached with Esketemc and Lil’wat Nation. A broader, government-to-government protocol has been signed with the St’at’imc Chiefs Council (see Appendix). Once discussions have concluded, a plan based on them will be prepared for Cabinet review and approval.