Yesterday the BC Government published the long-awaited Foundation Agreement renewal, dated August 16, 2024. More information such as details on the renewal, funding commitments, fact sheet and the original 2018 agreement can be found on the shishalh Nation BC Foundation Agreement page here. The corresponding government press release is available here.
You can view the Foundation Agreement Addendum PDF here. Part 17 and Schedule G of the document specifically deal with the Dock Management Plan.
The shishalh swiya Dock Management (formerly titled Pender Harbour Project) page was updated with additional information.
Excerpts:
“The renewal affirms the changes to the shíshálh swiya Dock Management Plan (DMP) that the B.C. government and shíshálh announced in August 2024. Additionally, the renewal includes commitments to conduct more studies in the foreshore, to undertake shared monitoring and fund restoration work conducted by shíshálh.”
“In the Foundation Agreement renewal, B.C. and shíshálh agree that, at this time, they will not be proceeding with section 7 negotiations related to dock authorizations and the resumption of those discussions will involve robust public engagement.”
“Self-registration for existing marine docks in the swiya remains open, and dock owners are encouraged to complete the self registration form online. The B.C. government and shíshálh have also begun transitioning self-registered dock owners to 20-year long-term authorizations and have offered licenses of occupation to 6 dock owners in the swiya. As this work continues, B.C. government staff will connect with self-registered dock and boathouse owners inviting them to begin the transition process."
“More information will be shared in the coming weeks. As we move forward on commitments around docks and boathouses in lake environments and commercial docks, we will be reaching out to the public through community contacts and making information available on this web page.”
The Dock section of the Foundation Agreement outlines many of the areas that the WPC Directors, through participation in the DMPAG process, sought to have included with respect to the legacy docks and boathouses.
The WPC was fully supportive of the engagement process with the shishalh, the Ministry and the DMPAG in terms of the legacy docks. This process proved to be a successful collaboration to protect the legacy infrastructure, while providing sufficient safeguards for the community, foreshore, and critical habitats in the swiya.
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