Advisory Board
 |
M-K Advisory Board
|
Intent
Appointed by the Premier of British Columbia, the Muskwa-Kechika Advisory Board (M-KAB) is mandated with advising government on natural resource management in the Muskwa-Kechika Management Area (M-KMA) to ensure that activities within the area are consistent with the objectives of the Muskwa-Kechika Management Plan. Advisory Board members provide their services voluntarily and without remuneration except for travel expenses while undertaking Advisory Board business and attending Advisory Board meetings.
The Advisory Board represents both the interests of the M-KMA as well as the perspectives of their respective constituencies.
The Advisory Board must prepare an annual report (check our resource library section to view past and current reports) to the Premier and the Public outlining its funding expenditures, submitting its advice to government, and reporting on Board and Committee work.
M-KMA Vision (established by the M-KAB)
"The Muskwa Kechika Management Area is a globally significant area of wilderness, wildlife and cultures, to be maintained in perpetuity, where world class integrated resource management decision-making is practiced ensuring that resource development and other human activities take place in harmony with wilderness quality, wildlife and the dynamic ecosystems on which they depend"
M-KAB members reflect a diversity of perspectives including:
| First Nations | oil and gas | local government |
| conservation | forestry | commercial recreation |
| labour | mining | wilderness tourism |
| trapping | guide outfitting | |
M-K Advisory Board Meetings
Advisory Board meetings, held 2 times per year are usually held in Fort St John BC. The general public is invited to attend portions of these meetings. In part, the intent is to conduct semi-annual reviews of activities and review strategic plans to ensure that the intent of the M-KMA is upheld. M-KAB meetings work to accomplish the following:
- Review information and new developments within the M-KMA
- Develop recommendations for government
- Provide the public with an opportunity to learn more about the M-KMA, the M-KAB and table enquiries with the Advisory Board.
- Government agencies and other organisations update Board members and others with the full perspective of planning and activities occurring within the M-KMA
- Engage stakeholders and have presentations on issues and concerns affecting the M-KMA.
Board Committees
In addition to fulfilling full Advisory Board duties, many members sit on Advisory Board Committees with specific functions and responsibilities. To a large extent it is these committees that perform the work of the Board.
Executive Committee acts as the central authority for decision-making outside of full Board meetings. The Committee is composed of Chairs from all the M-KAB Committees.
Organizational Development Committee is mandated with long- and short-term planning for the M-KMA and M-KAB. A major component of the Committee is the development of an updated Strategic Plan in support of a new Governance and Funding Model for the M-KAB. This plan must be approved and in place by 2006.
Awareness and Support Committee is responsible for a range of communications, education and public information programs. Also responsible for fundraising, the Outreach Committee promotes both the M-KMA and the work of the Board.
Resource Committee (5 Working Groups)
The Resource Management Committee considers issues and provides advice to government with respect to a variety of resource management and land use issues in the M-KMA. To address the larger issues, a number of working groups have been assigned.
The Oil and Gas working group reviews oil and gas related planning in the M-KMA and develops advice to government. This committee also advocates new, innovative and emerging technologies which may help to minimize negative environmental impacts to the land.
The Mining working group was established to address issues arising from mining and mineral exploration in the M-KMA. Although the M-KMA Act does not currently require a local strategic plan for mining, increased interest in mining is generating concerns regarding impacts. The committee is exploring how to provide certainty for mining in the M-KMA while ensuring that the vision to maintain wilderness and wildlife in perpetuity is achieved.
The Parks and Recreation working group reviews, and provides advice to government regarding park and recreation management planning to ensure consistency with the M-KMA Act . It also considers issues and provides advice with respect to M-KMA Parks and Protected Areas.
The Wildlife Management working group reviews and provides advice to government regarding wildlife planning work that needs to be completed for the M-KMA.
Knowledge and Understanding Committee, composed of M-KAB members in partnership with representatives from UNBC, plans, organises, implements and monitors a host of large and small-scale research projects pertinent to land use, wildlife and conservation in the M-KMA.
As well, when particular issues arise that are not in the realm of a committee's work, then an ad hoc committee is created to review the issue and provide recommendations to the Board.
|
