Kootenay Boundary Higher Level Plan

In January of 2001, government released the first Kootenay Boundary Higher Level Plan. This plan brought into force ten legal objectives that provided direction on biodiversity emphasis, old and mature forests, Caribou, Green-up and patch size, grizzly bears and connectivity corridors, consumptive use streams, enhanced resource development zones (timber), fire maintained ecosystems, visuals and the forest economy. The Kootenay Boundary Higher Level Plan was revised in October 2002 to reflect the required balance of social, economic and environmental values. The most significant change made through the revised order was to reduce the requirements for maintaining mature forests. Since 2002 there have been 9 variances to the plan. These variances have dealt with improving caribou management, addressing issues associated with mountain pine beetle infestations and addressing economic concerns. These Plan objectives and variances to plan objectives have been established under the Land Act of British Columbia.

Objective 9.1 is no longer in affect as Scenic Area objectives were previously established by the Ministry of Forests. The Ministry of Forests has established Scenic Areas for the majority of areas within the Kootenay Boundary area (please contact the Ministry of Forest District local office for more information. ILMB has established a Scenic area under A GAR order for the Boundary RMZ area, this information can be found at the Scenic Area site.

This web site contains a section that provides information on the Oct 26, 2002 Kootenay Boundary Higher Level Plan Order and a section on variances that have occurred since order was brought into effect. The Oct 26, 2002 order does not include changes made through variances. Variances must be considered to fully understand the legal requirements of the Plan objectives. Strategies included in this website are considered policy and not legal direction. Maps associated with plan and variances can be found either by opening the Plan and Variance links or by accessing the link to the Plot and Data File FTP Site. People interested in accessing maps and data for GIS analysis should access the Plot and Data File FTP Site. This website also includes a link to the Kootenay Boundary Implementation Strategy which is also considered a government policy document.

For further information regarding the Kootenay Boundary Higher Level Plan and application of objectives, contact Frank Wilmer, Integrated Land Management Bureau.