An opportunity for local management and conservation of DL 1313, also known as Reed Road Forest, may be on the horizon.
Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) planning and community development general manager Ian Hall told directors on June 23 that the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) Nation have indicated a willingness to discuss a nominal rent tenure agreement with the SCRD as a “stop-gap measure." Such and action could provide the local government authority to prevent the property from being subject to BC Timber Sales auction and subsequent logging.
“This is really good news” said Area E director Donna McMahon. She then seconded a committee of the whole recommendation for staff to update and send a letter to the Minister of Land, Water, and Resource Stewardship requesting “provisions of the Land Act be utilized to temporarily address drinking water protection and stormwater management concerns until such time as a management plan involving the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Nation can be established.” Board consideration of that recommendation is slated for its July 14 meeting.
A draft of the letter was included in the committee meeting agenda package. The committee agreed that version would be updated to include advising the Minister of the progress made with the First Nation and a more detailed background on the history of the property, prepared by director McMahon.
