Lands, Resources and Implementation

OBJECTIVE
One of the objectives of the Gwich’in Tribal Council is to protect and preserve the rights, interest and benefits of the Gwich’in in reference to their use, ownership and management of lands, waters and resources in the Gwich’in Settlement Area (GSA).

LANDS, RESOURCES & IMPLEMENTATION
The Lands, Resources, and Implementation (LRI) department is responsible for coordinating and facilitating various activities and programs related to implementation of the Gwich’in Comprehensive Land Claim Agreement (GCLCA) including but not limited to:
·     the management and administration of Gwich’in-owned lands within the NWT and Yukon;
·     issues, policies, and regulations relating to the management of harvesting, wildlife, and the environment; and
·     other GCLCA-related issues.

EXECUTIVE RESPONSIBLE
The President and Vice-President are the Executive Members jointly responsible for the LRI portfolio.

GWICH’IN LANDS & RESOURCES
Gwich’in Lands & Resources (GLR) is the administrative division set up to manage Gwich’in Private Lands within the Northwest Territories and Yukon.

LAND-USE ACTIVITIES
The GLR develops guidelines and fees for activities on Gwich’in Private Lands including but not limited to:
•     gravel pits / quarries
•     recreation / tourism outfitting
•     government
•     oil & gas
•     commercial / residential leases
•     road construction
•     research
•     logging / wood cutting

The GLR also:
•     consults with Gwich’in councils during the authorization process
•     maintains a registry
•     monitors land use activities
•     conducts inventory, and
•     develops policies and procedures.

GUIDELINES & FEES
The GLR has developed Gwich’in Land Management and Control Guidelines to:
•     set out standards and guidelines for use of Gwich’in Lands
•     provide consistent and fair management and control
•     provide an opportunity for Gwich’in to participate, and
•     coordinate land use regulations with public regulatory bodies.

Payment of application and land use fees is required in any application to use Gwich’in lands. These fees are reviewed every year.

GWICH’IN HARVESTERS REGISTRY
All Gwich’in harvesters should register their hunting, trapping, and fishing areas. This will help with compensation issues for harvesters who may be affected by any future development.

CABIN DATABASE & REGISTRY
All Gwich’in Beneficiaries with campsites or cabins within the Gwich’in Settlement Area must register—at no cost - in order to:
•     receive a Gwich’in Residential Lease certificate
•     be entered in the Cabin Datebase
•     be contacted if there are land use applications near your site, and
•     be presented with a Gwich’in Nation flag.

SIGNS
The GLR put up signs along the Dempster Highway for people to know where Gwich’in Lands are located.

PROJECTS
•     Harvester and Cabin Database
•     Land Management and Control Guidelines and Fee Schedule
•     GTC Harvester Impact and Mitigation Compensation Policy
•     NWT Water Strategy
•     Yukon Environmental and Socio-Economic Assessment Act (YESAA) Implementation
•     Peel Watershed Planning Commission (PWPC)
•     Cumulative Impacts Monitoring Program (CIMP) and Audit and Environmental Management Framework – formerly Cumulative Effects Assessment and Management (CEAM
•     Protected Areas Strategy

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
•     Dempster Highway Hunting Regulations
•     Dall’s Sheep Management Plan
•     Sumps in the Yukon
•     Porcupine Caribou Management Board and Porcupine Caribou Management Agreement
•     Forest Management in the GSA
•     Mackenzie Valley Resource Management Act Amendments
•     Caribou and the Dempster Highway Elders Campaign
•     NWT Wildlife Act Amendments
•     Gwich’in Renewable Resource Board
•     Regional RRC Meeting
•     Peel River Water Quality Program
•     Yukon Species at Risk Act
•     Yukon Wildlife Act Amendments
•     Yukon Government/Gwich'in Tribal Council Consultation Protocol

IMPLEMENTATION
•     Amendments to the GCLCA
•     Economic Measures
•     Communications CD-ROM
•     Land Claims Advisory Coalition (LCAC)
•     NWT Wildlife Act and Species at Risk Act
•     Mackenzie Gas Project – Regulatory Review

STAFF
Donald Andre, Director, 867-777-7912
Mardy Semmler, Gwich'in Lands Administration Manager, 867-777-7913
[vacant], Lands & Resources Advisor, 867-777-7914