Renewed agreement means more funds

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A newly signed renewal of an interim measures agreement for Clayoquot Sound will mean area First Nations will have an addition $8 million to spend on economic development over the next five years.

The renewal agreement, signed March 29, extends the original interim agreement reached between the province of B.C. and the Hawiih, or hereditary chiefs, of the Nuu-chah-nulth Central Region First Nations in 1994. The First Nations involved in the agreement include the Tla-o-qui-aht, Ahousaht, Hesquiaht, Toquaht and Ucluelet First Nations.

The $8 million will be available to the five First Nations through an economic development fund. The latest money brings the total amount of economic development money tied to the agreement to $13.5 million, with an economic development fund of $5.5 million previously created for the Nuu-chah-nulth Central Region in conjunction with the original interim measures agreement and subsequent 1996 extension.

The funding is available to the signing First Nations for a variety of economic development activities, including development of infrastructure, and tourism opportunities, as well as for initiatives in the forestry, shellfish and aquaculture sectors.

The newly announced money will also allow the Hesquiaht First Nation to complete and implement "Management for a Living Hesquiaht Harbour", a management and development plan initiated under the previous interim measures agreement.

According to Peter Smith, a spokesperson for the BC Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs, the renewed interim measures agreement will assist the parties involved in moving forward toward a treaty.

Smith said treaty negotiations are proceeding, and the province hopes to table an offer at the Nuu-chah-nulth treaty table by June, with a target for completion of an Agreement-in-Principal by the end of 2000.