The B.C. government announced yesterday it has reached an accord with the Seabird Island First Nation on forestry in the band’s traditional territory.
The forestry consultation and revenue sharing agreement is aimed at expanding Seabird Island’s forestry business and increasing support for community development.
Forestry consultation and revenue sharing Agreements (FCRSA) replace the previous forest and range Opportunity agreements (FRO), which based payments on a community’s population rather than on harvesting activity. Since November 2010, B.C. has replaced 50 FROs with the new FCRSAs.
Mary Polak, minister of aboriginal relations and reconciliations, said yesterday, “This new approach to revenue-sharing is a significant change for First Nations in the forestry sector. It ensures that revenue from on-the-ground harvesting has a direct benefit on the future development of the Seabird Island community and all First Nations across B.C. who sign onto these agreements.”
The new agreement with Seabird Island has a three-year term. The band will receive $252,000 as an initial bridging payment from the old to the new model and approximately $230,000 in the first year of the agreement.
Future payments will reflect the level of forestry activity in the band’s traditional territory. As the forest industry rebounds, it is hoped that Seabird Island will receive increased payments in the future.
Seabird Island First Nation Chief Clement Seymour said, “The Seabird Island community is proud of its partnership with British Columbia. We are working together to build a more prosperous future, not only for today, but for all our children, and this forestry agreement is another step forward on our joint journey.”