{"id":239,"date":"2020-04-27T15:44:57","date_gmt":"2020-04-27T15:44:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/tourismyt\/chapter\/environmental-management-in-bc\/"},"modified":"2021-04-26T17:40:14","modified_gmt":"2021-04-26T17:40:14","slug":"environmental-management-in-bc","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/tourismyt\/chapter\/environmental-management-in-bc\/","title":{"raw":"10.4 Environmental Management in BC","rendered":"10.4 Environmental Management in BC"},"content":{"raw":"Environmental impacts\u00a0in BC are managed by a variety of governmental organizations and should always be in consultation with and by the consent of First Nations people and governments. Each of these agencies at First Nations, provincial and federal government levels have a role to play, from regulation of land access and\u00a0resource extraction to\u00a0environmental monitoring and cleanup. To understand how the impacts are managed, let's review the basic categories of land use in BC.\n

Land Use<\/h1>\nThere are essentially four broad land categories in BC: First Nations land, private land, provincial Crown land, and federal Crown land.\n\n[pb_glossary id=\"479\"]First Nations land[\/pb_glossary] includes any area where \"Aboriginal title\" has been established and responsibilities for management lie with the relevant First Nations group. Large areas of designated Crown land in BC are considered by First Nations groups as traditional, and these are\u00a0currently going through the treaty negotiation process, which will likely result in a larger proportion of the BC land area coming under First Nations management.<\/span>\n\nIn 1997, the Supreme Court of Canada ruled in the Delgamuukw case that Aboriginal title is \"a right to the land itself\u2014not just the right to hunt, fish and gather.\" This case confirmed that \"Aboriginal title still exists in BC and that when dealing with Crown land the government must consult with and may have to compensate First Nations whose rights are affected\" (BC Treaty Commission, 2020).\n\n[pb_glossary id=\"579\"]Private land[\/pb_glossary] in BC is\u00a0any land where private property rights apply. This includes residential, commercial, and agricultural zoned land throughout the province. If private property rights apply, the owner has more rights over that land for development and use than any other classification of land. Tourism companies wishing to operate on private property need to gain ownership of the land, or failing that, permission to operate on the land. Private property accounts for approximately 5% of the land mass in BC (Government of BC, 2011).\n\nThe term [pb_glossary id=\"436\"]Crown land[\/pb_glossary] applies to any land that is owned by either the provincial or federal government.\u00a0Provincial Crown land\u00a0makes up 94% of BC, making it the largest category of land in the province. Provincial Crown land is available for a wide range of activities that encourage recreation and economic development, including tourism (Government of BC,\u00a02011).\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_238\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"500\"]\"A Figure 10.7 A BC Parks ranger conducts an interpretive program.[\/caption]\n\nDesignated park areas are managed by [pb_glossary id=\"393\"]BC Parks[\/pb_glossary], the agency that reviews and issues permits for tourism companies to operate within a park. Other provincial Crown land is managed by a variety of government agencies, such as the Ministry of Forests, Lands, and Natural Resource Operations (MFLNR).\n\nFederal Crown land is all land that is owned by the Government of Canada; in BC, less\u00a0than 1% of the overall land is federal Crown land. It primarily consists of parks and protected areas that are managed by [pb_glossary id=\"566\"]Parks Canada[\/pb_glossary], the federal agency that has\u00a0a\u00a0mandate to preserve and share\u00a0\"natural and cultural heritage\" and help ensure enjoyment and appreciation \"for present and future generations\" (Parks Canada, n.d.).\n
\n\nTake a Closer Look:\u00a0Parks and Protected Areas in BC<\/strong>\n\nTwo examples of pristine parks in BC are Pacific Rim National Park and Garibaldi Provincial Park. Pacific Rim is operated by Parks Canada. It covers a beautiful stretch of land along the west coast of Vancouver Island. Visit the webpage at\u00a0Pacific Rim National Park Reserve<\/a>.\n\nGaribaldi is managed by BC Parks. It is located just north of Vancouver and protects a pristine mountainous region. Learn more at the Garibaldi Provincial Park website<\/a>. Both parks serve as significant natural attractions for tourism in BC.\n\n<\/div>\n

Land Use for Tourism and Hospitality<\/h2>\nBusinesses and organizations wishing to use Crown land for economic development must apply and be approved for Crown land tenure, which is an agreement\u00a0with the BC government\u00a0to use the\u00a0land for commercial purposes. Examples of the types of tourism operations that might seek tenure\u00a0include mountain resorts, golf courses, backcountry lodges, tour operators, resort development, and marina construction. It's estimated that about\u00a016% of the tourism industry in BC depends on access to Crown land through the Crown land tenure program (Government of BC, 2010).\n\nDifferent tenures are available depending on the type, location, and intensity of use proposed. A temporary permit grants use\u00a0for approved activities for up to two years, but not exclusive use (other commercial operators may still use\u00a0the area). A licence of occupation, the next level of tenure, provides for light development\u00a0(e.g., semi-permanent structures or trails). This type of licence is typically issued for terms of five to 30 years and is renewable. A lease is a long-term contract for tenure, typically for\u00a030 years. With a lease, operators can make\u00a0substantial improvements to the land\u00a0including\u00a0significant structures such as lodges, restaurants, ski lifts, roads, and so on. It is the longest term and the most secure type of tenure (Government of BC, 2010).\n\nAny tourism business\u00a0wishing to operate on First Nations land requires permission from the local First Nation.\u00a0Companies wanting to operate in\u00a0a National Park also need to apply for a permit. Although resource extraction is restricted, national parks often encourage tourism development\u00a0that is sustainable and appropriate for the local environment.\n\nOther elements of environmental stewardship in BC fall to the [pb_glossary id=\"541\"]Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy[\/pb_glossary]. This ministry focuses on environmental protection, environmental sustainability, strategic policy, managing and developing parks and protected areas, climate action, and managing Conservation Officer Servicea.\n\nAdditionally, the [pb_glossary id=\"464\"]Environmental Assessment Office[\/pb_glossary] plays an important role in environmental stewardship on Crown lands in BC. All major projects being proposed for development on Crown land must undergo an environmental assessment and have it approved by this office, which is a neutral agency set up specifically for this purpose. Projects are evaluated not only for their potential impacts on the environment, but also on their economic, social, cultural, and heritage aspects.\u00a0Large-scale tourism projects such as mountain resorts are required to proceed through the environmental assessment process (Environmental Assessment Office, n.d.).\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_238\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"400\"]\"Aerial Figure 10.8 Logging sites visible from the air in Jervis Inlet.[\/caption]\n\nThe current land management system in BC has led to numerous conflicts between tourism operators and resource extraction operations such as mining and forestry. Often, overlapping tenure is given to multiple companies with conflicting operational goals. Tourism operators typically require a clean environment, high-quality viewscapes, intact biodiversity, and an environment free of industrial scars. To maintain these values, any resource extraction needs to occur far from where tourism operators conduct their activities. In recent years, tensions have been building as access to wilderness areas becomes scarcer, with tourism values often falling second to resource extraction under the existing system (Webster, 2013).\n
\n\nTake a Closer Look: Conflicts Between Tourism and Resource Extraction\u00a0in BC<\/strong>\n\nTourism companies complain that despite being part of the $1.6 billion nature-based tourism industry in BC, the government favours traditional logging values. This article\u00a0discusses one example on northern Vancouver Island where a kayaking operator feels logging is threatening its livelihood. Learn more by reading the article, \"Logging Threatens Tourism, Kayaking Company Charges.\"<\/a>\n\n<\/div>\nThe issues discussed above provide a framework\u00a0for thinking about environmental management and the impacts of the tourism industry in BC. As part of the industry, we have an\u00a0important responsibility to\u00a0recognize impacts and take steps to reduce them.\u00a0The\u00a0next section addresses how we might do just that.","rendered":"

Environmental impacts\u00a0in BC are managed by a variety of governmental organizations and should always be in consultation with and by the consent of First Nations people and governments. Each of these agencies at First Nations, provincial and federal government levels have a role to play, from regulation of land access and\u00a0resource extraction to\u00a0environmental monitoring and cleanup. To understand how the impacts are managed, let’s review the basic categories of land use in BC.<\/p>\n

Land Use<\/h1>\n

There are essentially four broad land categories in BC: First Nations land, private land, provincial Crown land, and federal Crown land.<\/p>\n

First Nations land<\/a> includes any area where “Aboriginal title” has been established and responsibilities for management lie with the relevant First Nations group. Large areas of designated Crown land in BC are considered by First Nations groups as traditional, and these are\u00a0currently going through the treaty negotiation process, which will likely result in a larger proportion of the BC land area coming under First Nations management.<\/span><\/p>\n

In 1997, the Supreme Court of Canada ruled in the Delgamuukw case that Aboriginal title is “a right to the land itself\u2014not just the right to hunt, fish and gather.” This case confirmed that “Aboriginal title still exists in BC and that when dealing with Crown land the government must consult with and may have to compensate First Nations whose rights are affected” (BC Treaty Commission, 2020).<\/p>\n

Private land<\/a> in BC is\u00a0any land where private property rights apply. This includes residential, commercial, and agricultural zoned land throughout the province. If private property rights apply, the owner has more rights over that land for development and use than any other classification of land. Tourism companies wishing to operate on private property need to gain ownership of the land, or failing that, permission to operate on the land. Private property accounts for approximately 5% of the land mass in BC (Government of BC, 2011).<\/p>\n

The term Crown land<\/a> applies to any land that is owned by either the provincial or federal government.\u00a0Provincial Crown land\u00a0makes up 94% of BC, making it the largest category of land in the province. Provincial Crown land is available for a wide range of activities that encourage recreation and economic development, including tourism (Government of BC,\u00a02011).<\/p>\n

\"A
Figure 10.7 A BC Parks ranger conducts an interpretive program.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Designated park areas are managed by BC Parks<\/a>, the agency that reviews and issues permits for tourism companies to operate within a park. Other provincial Crown land is managed by a variety of government agencies, such as the Ministry of Forests, Lands, and Natural Resource Operations (MFLNR).<\/p>\n

Federal Crown land is all land that is owned by the Government of Canada; in BC, less\u00a0than 1% of the overall land is federal Crown land. It primarily consists of parks and protected areas that are managed by Parks Canada<\/a>, the federal agency that has\u00a0a\u00a0mandate to preserve and share\u00a0“natural and cultural heritage” and help ensure enjoyment and appreciation “for present and future generations” (Parks Canada, n.d.).<\/p>\n

\n

Take a Closer Look:\u00a0Parks and Protected Areas in BC<\/strong><\/p>\n

Two examples of pristine parks in BC are Pacific Rim National Park and Garibaldi Provincial Park. Pacific Rim is operated by Parks Canada. It covers a beautiful stretch of land along the west coast of Vancouver Island. Visit the webpage at\u00a0Pacific Rim National Park Reserve<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Garibaldi is managed by BC Parks. It is located just north of Vancouver and protects a pristine mountainous region. Learn more at the Garibaldi Provincial Park website<\/a>. Both parks serve as significant natural attractions for tourism in BC.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Land Use for Tourism and Hospitality<\/h2>\n

Businesses and organizations wishing to use Crown land for economic development must apply and be approved for Crown land tenure, which is an agreement\u00a0with the BC government\u00a0to use the\u00a0land for commercial purposes. Examples of the types of tourism operations that might seek tenure\u00a0include mountain resorts, golf courses, backcountry lodges, tour operators, resort development, and marina construction. It’s estimated that about\u00a016% of the tourism industry in BC depends on access to Crown land through the Crown land tenure program (Government of BC, 2010).<\/p>\n

Different tenures are available depending on the type, location, and intensity of use proposed. A temporary permit grants use\u00a0for approved activities for up to two years, but not exclusive use (other commercial operators may still use\u00a0the area). A licence of occupation, the next level of tenure, provides for light development\u00a0(e.g., semi-permanent structures or trails). This type of licence is typically issued for terms of five to 30 years and is renewable. A lease is a long-term contract for tenure, typically for\u00a030 years. With a lease, operators can make\u00a0substantial improvements to the land\u00a0including\u00a0significant structures such as lodges, restaurants, ski lifts, roads, and so on. It is the longest term and the most secure type of tenure (Government of BC, 2010).<\/p>\n

Any tourism business\u00a0wishing to operate on First Nations land requires permission from the local First Nation.\u00a0Companies wanting to operate in\u00a0a National Park also need to apply for a permit. Although resource extraction is restricted, national parks often encourage tourism development\u00a0that is sustainable and appropriate for the local environment.<\/p>\n

Other elements of environmental stewardship in BC fall to the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy<\/a>. This ministry focuses on environmental protection, environmental sustainability, strategic policy, managing and developing parks and protected areas, climate action, and managing Conservation Officer Servicea.<\/p>\n

Additionally, the Environmental Assessment Office<\/a> plays an important role in environmental stewardship on Crown lands in BC. All major projects being proposed for development on Crown land must undergo an environmental assessment and have it approved by this office, which is a neutral agency set up specifically for this purpose. Projects are evaluated not only for their potential impacts on the environment, but also on their economic, social, cultural, and heritage aspects.\u00a0Large-scale tourism projects such as mountain resorts are required to proceed through the environmental assessment process (Environmental Assessment Office, n.d.).<\/p>\n

\"Aerial
Figure 10.8 Logging sites visible from the air in Jervis Inlet.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The current land management system in BC has led to numerous conflicts between tourism operators and resource extraction operations such as mining and forestry. Often, overlapping tenure is given to multiple companies with conflicting operational goals. Tourism operators typically require a clean environment, high-quality viewscapes, intact biodiversity, and an environment free of industrial scars. To maintain these values, any resource extraction needs to occur far from where tourism operators conduct their activities. In recent years, tensions have been building as access to wilderness areas becomes scarcer, with tourism values often falling second to resource extraction under the existing system (Webster, 2013).<\/p>\n

\n

Take a Closer Look: Conflicts Between Tourism and Resource Extraction\u00a0in BC<\/strong><\/p>\n

Tourism companies complain that despite being part of the $1.6 billion nature-based tourism industry in BC, the government favours traditional logging values. This article\u00a0discusses one example on northern Vancouver Island where a kayaking operator feels logging is threatening its livelihood. Learn more by reading the article, “Logging Threatens Tourism, Kayaking Company Charges.”<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

The issues discussed above provide a framework\u00a0for thinking about environmental management and the impacts of the tourism industry in BC. As part of the industry, we have an\u00a0important responsibility to\u00a0recognize impacts and take steps to reduce them.\u00a0The\u00a0next section addresses how we might do just that.<\/p>\n

definition<\/span>