The B.C. government, Fort Nelson First Nation, and the B.C. Energy Regulator have announced new land and wildlife protections in northeastern B.C. aimed at helping boreal caribou recover.
Six new Wildlife Habitat Areas are being created under a provincial Government Actions Regulation order. These areas target the highest-value habitat for caribou, while minimizing overlap with high-value forestry zones in the Fort Nelson Timber Supply Area.
In addition, Resource Review Areas are being put in place to temporarily suspend new petroleum and natural gas rights in core caribou zones. The B.C. Energy Regulator is also halting most new permits for energy development within 1.4 million hectares of important habitat, allowing only safety, restoration, and select administrative activities to continue under strict guidelines.
These steps are part of the Boreal Caribou Protection and Recovery Plan, a collaborative effort led by Fort Nelson First Nation and the provincial government. The plan supports both species-at-risk recovery and long-term economic opportunities.
Public access and recreational activities will not be affected by the new measures.
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