Department of Fisheries and Oceans/Islands Trust Council Letter of Understanding concerning the protection of Environmentally Sensitive Areas through the integration of mapped information and policy development and land use planning

Extracted text (beginning)

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LETTER OF UNDERSTANDING
between
THE DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES AND OCEANS
and
THE ISLANDS TRUST COUNCIL
concerning

THE PROTECTION OF ENVIRONMENTALLY SENSITIVE AREAS
THROUGH THE INTEGRATION OF MAPPED INFORMATION
AND POLICY DEVELOPMENT AND LAND USE PLANNING

This Letter of Understanding is directed toward the use of mapped information for
mutual purposes, it is anticipated that the implementation of broader guidelines, criteria
and standards for use of habitat areas will be the subject of a second Letter of
Understanding on the protection of marine areas generally.

1.0

2.0

PURPOSES

1.1

1.2

1.3

1.4

To protect aquatic and fish habitats, riparian corridors and
environmentally sensitive areas within the Islands Trust Area.

To promote cooperation and communication between the Department of
Fisheries and Oceans and the Islands Trust Council for environmental
conservation, with particular concern for the retention of vegetation
around habitat areas in the Islands Trust Area.

To promote the effective use of resources through the sharing of
information, technical support, a resource database and mutually
acceptable guidelines, criteria and standards for achieving common
goals.

To improve referral mechanisms for land use planning and regulation and
assessment of development proposals.

PRINCIPLES

Both parties acknowledge the respective legislative mandate of the other party
and agree to the following:

2.1

The object of the Islands Trust which is set out in Section 3 of the /slands
Trust Act establishes the need to preserve and protect the Islands Trust
Area and its unique amenities and environment for the benefit of the
residents of the Islands Trust Area and of the Province generally.

DFO Mapping LOU - August, 1996

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2.2

2.3

The mandate of the Department of Fisheries and Oceans is to protect
fish habitat defined as those parts of the environment "on which fish
depend, directly or indirectly, in order to carry out their life processes" .

Nothing in this Agreement alters the legislatively mandated roles,
responsibilities and duties of any of the parties.

3.0 INFORMATION BASE

3.1

3.2

3.3

3.4

3.5

3.6

3.7

The Department of Fisheries and Oceans will provide the Islands Trust
Council with a biophysical information database that identifies
environmentally sensitive areas, on a mutually agreed upon schedule for
islands within the Trust Area..

The schedule for producing the biophysical mapping on an island by
island basis shall be reviewed annually to ensure maximal coordination
with the planning priorities chart of the Islands Trust Council.

The draft data will be reviewed for accuracy by the appropriate staff and
committees of the parties, and may be forwarded, with the consent of all
parties, to individuals or non-governmental organizations who are
believed to have information or knowledge to contribute.

The Islands Trust Council will use the information base for policy
development.

The Islands Trust Council will e

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