| B.C. Protects Great Bear Rainforest | 27 April 09 |
 The Government of British Columbia has made good on its promise to legally protect 2.1 million hectares of the province's Great Bear Rainforest and develop foundations for a conservation-based economy in the region. Three years ago, the B.C. government promised to implement an Ecosystem-Based Management (EBM) system for the North and South Central Coast area as part of the historic Coast Land Use Decisions to end logging protests and blockades. The region contains the largest intact temperate rain forest left in the world, and is home 1,000 year-old cedar trees and the rare Spirit Bear. Environmental groups applaud the new "lighter touch" logging that will maintain 50 percent of the natural level of old growth forest in the region. Industry, First Nations and the B.C. government have endorsed a five-year plan for ongoing science-based collaborative planning and a reserve network outside the protected areas. B.C. will also commit $120 million to the Coast Opportunity Fund aimed at preserving the rainforest and promoting economic development opportunities for First Nations. View 2009 Coast Land Use Decision Implementation - Land Use ObjectivesView February 7, 2006 B.C. Government news release View March 31, 2009 B.C. Government news release View April 18, 2008 Background and Intent Document for the Land Use Objectives Orders (PDF) View 2009 Land Use Objectives - Amendments View 2009 Coast Land Use Decision Implementation - Agreements View 2009 Coast Land Use Decision Implementation - Background Information View March 31, 2009 Save The Great Bear article View March 31, 2009 Canadian Press article Sources: B.C. Government, B.C. Integrated Land Management Bureau, Save the Great Bear Rainforest, Canadian Press |
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