The B.C. government announced July 6 it is moving forward on conservation-planning processes for three new project areas with the aim of better protecting watersheds, ecosystems and wildlife in British Columbia.

One of those projects is in Qat’muk, west of Invermere.

A conservation planning process could recommend conserving 70,000 hectares to connect the Bugaboo and Purcell Mountain Protected Areas and provide protection for important habitat and cultural and recreational values, a Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship media release noted.

The Province is working with First Nations and other partners on conservation-planning projects in Qat’muk, Skagit Headwaters (in the Manning Park area) and Raush Valley (in the Robson Valley south of McBride)

These areas have had significant local, provincial and First Nations investment due to the cultural and ecological values they represent. Combined, these proposed areas would total approximately 127,000 hectares (0.13% of the provincial land base), the ministry said.

This work will be done together, alongside First Nations, environmental organizations, communities, industry, residents and other partners, ensuring these conservation efforts are a credit to the work done and relationships built in B.C., and making sure the end results align with the interests of people in B.C.

Recommendations will be drafted through transparent and inclusive planning processes that will include public engagement before any final conservation decisions are made.

More information about public engagement opportunities will be available this summer.

Conservation planning is a targeted approach to land-use planning that is focused on protecting:

* biodiversity, including rare or threatened ecosystems, habitats of species at risk (e.g., northern goshawk) or keystone species (e.g., grizzly bear, salmon);

* ecological corridors connecting existing protected areas;

* other intact areas of importance to First Nations.

Conservation planning identifies the types of activities that stakeholders and the public are doing in a planning area. Then the best way to protect natural values identified by the B.C. government and First Nations partners is considered, the ministry noted.

More on Qat’muk:

The area known as Qat’muk, and as Le7 té scenc by the Shuswap Band, is of significant cultural importance to both Ktunaxa Nation and Shuswap Band. It’s located west of Panorama and north of Purcell Wilderness Conservancy Park.

Ktunaxa Nation has made significant efforts over three decades, in collaboration with local community and stakeholder groups, to conserve this area due to the habitat, biodiversity and cultural values it contains (Jumbo Resort).

The Shuswap Band also maintains enduring relationships with these lands and waters. Environment and Climate Change Canada has supported advancing these conservation interests.

If approved, a Qat’muk conservation area would support species at risk, healthy watersheds, grizzly bear habitat and stands of whitebark pine trees, and would improve ecological connectivity in the Purcell Mountains between existing parks and conservancy areas.

A three-year pause on applications for new mineral tenures was implemented on Monday, July 6, to support the conservation planning process and ensure that the area’s values are maintained, while this work is underway, the ministry pointed out.

This pause does not restrict current mining tenure holders from normal, everyday operations in the proposed conservation area.

e-KNOW file photos

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