TITLES DIVISION

SUBJECT:     SUSTAINABLE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN (SRMP) FOR THE PEACE MOBERLY TRACT

The Peace Moberly Tract (PMT) contains approximately 1,090 square kilometers of land lying between Moberly Lake and the Peace River in northeastern BC (see attached map).  This area is of special interest to the West Moberly and Saulteau First Nations for carrying out their Treaty 8 rights, including hunting, trapping and fishing.

In November 2004, agreement was reached between these two First Nations and the Province to proceed with a SRMP for the PMT.

The SRMP, which must be consistent with the Dawson Creek Land and Resource Management Plan for this area, is intended to provide resource management direction at the landscape level.  This process will be co-chaired by the two First Nations and the Ministry of Sustainable Resource Management (MSRM).  Efforts are focused on submitting a SRMP for approval to the Minister of MSRM and to the Chiefs and Councils of both First Nations by March 31, 2006.

In the interim, the Ministry of Energy and Mines will not be accepting any requests for petroleum and natural gas rights before March 31, 2006.  Reserves prohibiting the acquisition of coal and mineral tenures have also been placed over the PMT.

For further information contact: 

Colin Magee
Director, Oil and Gas Titles Branch
Titles Division
PO Box 9326, Stn Prov Gov’t
Victoria, BC  V8W 9N3
Telephone: 250-952-0335
Facsimile: 250-952-0331
Email:  Colin.Magee@gems.gov.bc.ca

Gerald German
Executive Director
Titles Division 

April 26, 2005