The government of British Columbia has changed its approach to the Land and Resource Management Planning (LRMP) process, and as a result, the province’s mining industry has returned to the land-use planning process after formally withdrawing in January 1999.
The government has asked for input from the mineral industry.
The new planning process will consider economic opportunities along with conservation initiatives. Also: the provincial interest, including British Columbia’s mineral wealth, will now be vigorously represented at the table; social and economic considerations will be assessed early on; and strong community representation will be a key part of the process.
“The mining industry has confidence in the future of British Columbia and faith in the leadership governing the province,” says Gary Livingstone, president of the Mining Association of British Columbia.
Bruce McKnight, executive director of the B.C. and Yukon Chamber of Mines, said “we intend to fully participate in that process and provide as much advice and assistance as we can to ensure sound decisions that respect the wealth-generating potential of the province’s mineral endowment.”
Under the previous government, the LRMP process was driven predominately by the desire to double the amount of parks in British Columbia to 12% of the land mass from 6%. In seeking that outcome, the process isolated and restricted economic development opportunity and was especially harmful to mining.
In mining terms alone, the economic consequences for local communities and for the province have been dramatic. Mineral exploration spending has plummeted, and the industry estimates the province has lost up to $3 billion in economic activity as a result.
— The preceding is from an information bulletin published by the Vancouver-based B.C. and Yukon Chamber of Mines.
Be the first to comment on "Land-use planning in BC"