Two agreements signed between the province and the Fort Nelson First Nation (FNFN) will support economic opportunities and provide greater land use certainty in northeastern BC.
The Economic Benefits and Oil and Gas Consultation Agreements benefit the region by establishing a clear process for consultation and management of lands and resources between the FNFN and the province.
The agreements provide the FNFN with a share of the revenue generated from resource development in their treaty territory, including the natural gas activities in the Horn River Basin, bringing economic opportunities and fuller participation in the economy.
They also lay out a consultation process and timelines for referrals for petroleum and natural gas tenures and oil and gas development, permitting activities between the FNFN, the Ministry of Energy and Mines and the Oil and Gas Commission. This is the first phase of a broader consultation agreement with all ministries.
As part of signing the agreements, the province and FNFN also have agreed to create a forum – the Horn River Leadership Group Initiative – to bring together the province, Fort Nelson and natural gas producers to co-ordinate environmentally and economically sustainable development of natural gas in the Horn River Basin in a manner that respects the treaty rights of the FNFN.
The FNFN will receive $1.5 million in capacity funding to participate in the Horn River Leadership Group Initiative.
A further $2 million for a community development planning fund will support the FNFN to plan and build community infrastructure, such as upgrading community roads, the construction of an arbour for traditional dances, a wellness centre, a new lands department building and research to monitor the impact of oil and gas activity in its traditional territory.
