PLANNING OUR LANDS SHAPING OUR FUTURE
LSIB’S 10 YEAR VISION FOR LAND USE
What is a land use plan? The plan will include maps and land use designations for the community’s nine reserves. It could include things like agricultural, cultural, residential, community facilities, commercial, industrial and/or protected open space (environmentally sensitive + wildlife space. It would identify areas that can be developed and areas that should be protected from development for cultural, historical or environmental reasons.
Why do we need a land use plan? A land use plan is a way to help make informed, sustainable decisions that balance ecological and economic demands. It helps to manage the growth and development based on agreed upon principles, values and preferences. In particular, we are capturing our potential and hope for the future generations.
SUMMARY: Between August 2010 and May 2011, the LSIB undertook a community-based land use planning process to plan for our nine reserves, a continuation and expansion of the important work completed in 2004 with LSIB Comprehensive Community Development Plan. The Chief and Council and over 140 community members participated in a variety of ways in the land use process that has produced LSIB’s land use plan for the community by the community.
The plan is inclusive of: land use principles, vision statement, priorities (land governance, financial-self-reliance, protect and teach culture, build unity & collaboration, land, water & environmental stewardship, community health and safety, sustainable design) core actions, an implementation strategy with land management tools and a monitoring and evaluation program.
On April 11, 2013 Chief and Council adopt the LSIB’s Land Use Plan, “Planning Our Lands Shaping Our Future: Lower Similkameen Indian Band 10 year Vision for Land Use.