McDowell lake First Nation Community Based Land Use Plan (CBLUP)

Description of policy

McDowell Lake First Nation is leading preparation of a CBLUP, working together with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) within the context of the Far North Land Use Planning Initiative under the Far North Act, 2010. McDowell Lake is located 155 km northeast of Red Lake.

The plan will specify protected areas and other land use designations, identifying permitted land use activities within those areas. In preparing the land use plan, the objectives for planning in the Far North will be taken into account. The land use plan will be developed respecting traditional and other existing uses including tourism and mineral sector activities. Plan development will consider the capability of lands and resources to support additional land uses such as tourism, recreation, mineral sector activities, and forestry. Indigenous knowledge and science-based information and knowledge will support decision-making.

The planning process is expected to take approximately two years, and will provide opportunity for all interested parties to participate. Details of public consultation opportunities are set out below. As set out in the Far North Act, the final plan will require a joint approval, by McDowell Lake First Nation and by MNRF. Direction resulting from approval of the land use plan will be added to the Crown Land Use Policy Atlas.

A planning area of interest has been defined by McDowell Lake First Nation on the basis of traditional use and an existing trapline. With respect for the shared land uses and interests of adjacent First Nation communities, additional dialogue will take place to discuss land use and set out the final planning area.

Purpose of policy

To create a CBLUP that was jointly developed with McDowell Lake First Nation and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry for an area in the Far North.

Other information

The Far North Act, 2010 provides objectives for land use planning in the Far North. These objectives are to be taken into account in the preparation of the terms of reference for planning and the preparation of the plan:

• A significant role for First Nations in the planning.
• The protection of areas of cultural value in the Far North and the protection of ecological systems in the Far North by including at least 225,000 square kilometres of the Far North in an interconnected network of protected areas designated in community based land use plans.
• The maintenance of biological diversity, ecological processes and ecological functions, including the storage and sequestration of carbon in the Far North.
• Enabling sustainable economic development that benefits the First Nations.

The following web links provide supporting information:

• Information about Far North
• Far North Act
• Terms of Reference for the McDowell Lake Community Based Land Use Plan

During the development of a land use plan the Ministry is considering both Horizons 2020 and its Statement of Environmental Values.

Public consultation

This proposal was posted for a 45 day public review and comment period starting August 26, 2016. Comments were to be received by October 10, 2016.

All comments received during the comment period are being considered as part of the decision-making process by the Ministry.

Please Note: All comments and submissions received have become part of the public record.

Other public consultation opportunities

First Nations communities, stakeholders, other interested parties and the general public receive an invitation to participate through direct written notice. Persons not included in this initial mailing who wish to be involved in the process may have their names added to the mailing list by contacting the contact person listed in this notice. Public notice of this planning process has also been placed in local newspaper(s).

An information centre will provide information relevant to the particular phase of planning occurring at that time. Project Planning Team members will be present to provide information, collect comments, and answer questions. Summaries of all public input will be provided.

At phase I, the joint planning team invites comments and information about the Terms of Reference. At this time any questions or issues with the planning process may be identified. This information will assist in the development of the CBLUP.

A second public consultation opportunity will be provided in Phase 2 when the Draft CBLUP is released. In Phase 3, a decision notice will be provided upon approval of a final Community Based Land Use Plan.

Opportunities for Public Involvement will include:

Phase 1 - Launch Terms of Reference and invite participation;

Information centers will be held in Red Lake in September, 2016.

Details on information center arrangements (location, times) will be provided in newspaper notice(s) and will be available from the contact person identified in this notice.

Dates beyond Phase 1 are tentative and will be populated once known.

Phase 2 – Draft Community Based Land Use Plan for review and input (Summer/Fall 2017).

Phase 3 – Notice of Final Community Based Land Use Plan (Spring 2018).