Clayoquot Sound Conservancies

Conservancies are lands set aside under the Park Act for:

• The protection and maintenance of their biological diversity and natural environments
• The preservation and maintenance of social, ceremonial and cultural uses of First Nations
• The protection and maintenance of their recreational values
• Development or use of natural resources in a manner consistent with the purposes of the above

In September 2020, the Province released the Old Growth Strategic Review Report (PDF, 8MB) and committed to a new integrated management approach for old growth forests that provides for environmental, economic, and reconciliation benefits.  At that time, the Province also announced immediate deferral for old growth harvesting in 9 areas, including in Clayoquot Sound.

The proposed conservancies include old growth forests and support several endangered and threatened species. New conservancies supported by the reconfiguration of TFL 54 removes the need for the deferral area in Clayoquot Sound and is an incremental step in realizing First Nations’ land use visions.

Commercial logging, mining and hydroelectric power generation (other than local run-of-the-river projects) are prohibited. A local run-of-the-river project is defined as one that provides power to a development within a conservancy or to a community that does not otherwise have access to hydro-electric power.

In addition, no on-site oil and gas exploration, development or production may occur in a conservancy. Directional or horizontal drilling for petroleum and natural gas from outside a conservancy may occur.

The designation type (conservancy) defines what is allowable, and regulations, management direction and policies provide further detail on what types of activities may be appropriate in a specific area.

Commercial recreation may be able to continue as currently permitted upon the approval of a Park Use Permit. Park Use Permits may include terms and conditions necessary to ensure protection of the conservancy’s values.

The proposed conservancies exclude the areas associated with currently permitted commercial (non-recreation) activities such as aquaculture, communications (e.g., cellular towers, etc.), hydroelectric activities and mining/mineral exploration.

Mining is not an allowable activity in conservancies. However, there are no existing mineral titles included within the boundaries of the proposed conservancies. Please review the map to see how conservancy boundaries have been delineated to maintain access to areas with mineral titles.

There are existing forestry permit roads in several locations within the areas. These roads are being excluded from the proposed conservancies. Work will be undertaken to deactivate many of these roads. Deactivation prevents access by motor vehicles, removes bridges and culverts and prevents erosion to protect adjacent aquatic habitats and water quality. Once deactivated these areas could be added into the conservancies in a future process.

No. There are no private lands included in the proposed conservancies.

Ecological and cultural protection along with reconciliation are priorities for the proposed conservancies. The development of infrastructure and amenities to enhance priorities and opportunities for public access will be considered by the Province and First Nations in the future.  

The Province is working collaboratively with Ma-Mook Natural Resources Ltd. (the holder of the only TFL in Clayoquot Sound) on their applications to expire existing Timber Licenses within the TFL and delete the areas that fall within the proposed conservancies. Removing the conservancies from the TFL will result in a review of the allowable annual cut. This review will assess a proportional reduction in harvesting opportunity in the remaining forest management areas within TFL 54.

No changes to forest business activities outside of TFL 54 are being considered as part of this process. The Province is working with Ma-Mook Natural Resources Ltd. and the First Nations partners on applications to subdivide and transfer the forest harvesting rights for those areas of TFL 54 that are not identified as potential conservancies. The Province will work with the Nation tenure holders on their interest to harvest timber in other areas of Clayoquot Sound as an economic opportunity for their communities.