Integrated Pest Management

Ministry of Environment Workshop
Summary of Meeting — Integrated Pest Management and Wildlife Act
May 2 - 3, 2007 — Whitehorse, Yukon

1. Introductions and Moment of Silence in lieu of Prayer.

2. Review of agenda:

• Meeting purpose is to engage First Nations on proposed changes to the B.C. Wildlife Act and to discuss ideas for consultation guidelines around integrated pest management.

3. Integrated Pest Management Act (IPMA):

Opening Comments from MOE Regarding IPMA:

• Integrated Pest Management Act applies to Crown Lands, not private lands.
• Forest cut block harvest plans are filed separately from forest management plans.
• Pest management plans are always associated with some resource plan (i.e. forest stewardship plans, range management plans, municipal land use plans, regional land use plans).
• Proponents that use pesticides need to ensure that First Nation rights are not infringed upon. Part of engagement with First Nations is exchange of information.
• Yukon Territorial Government recognizes B.C. certification of proponents.
• Proponents are required to talk to First Nations, but ultimate responsibility for consultation rests with the Crown.

Comments from Participants Regarding Consultation Requirements:

• Some First Nations oppose spraying of herbicides entirely, and there should be a process in place to require a company to stop spraying when First Nation opposition is substantial. In practice, companies are only denied permits if there is a specific infringement on aboriginal rights or potential harm to human health and safety.
• First Nations should be involved in the planning stages of pest management plans, not after plans have already been established. First Nations do not want to be reactive, but should instead by part of the process early on.
• Companies should provide First Nations with a map and a plan, and provide resources for First Nations to walk to site with the company. First Nation could then tell the company what areas they can and cannot spray.
• Companies should recognize that there will probably be more than one First Nation in each area.
• MOE should ask First Nations if they have a pest management policy or statement to assist companies in determining how to engage First Nations in different communities.
• Companies should almost always consult with First Nations about spraying herbicides, even over small areas such as railways, because there will always be secondary effects on the environment and wildlife.
• First Nations should be notified on an on-going, regular basis and the effects of the plan on the territory may require monitors.
• Some First Nations have environmental officers that would wan to review where companies are applying pesticides.
• Capacity building is required — First Nations have limited resources.
• Communities need to be given enough time to respond to plans — one month is not long enough.
• Letters to First Nations requesting a meeting are sometimes viewed by companies as consultation, but this is not the case.
• Companies need to have an understanding of First Nations in order to adequately accommodate rights and title and land uses.
• There needs to be a balance between a checklist and actual conversations and unique First Nation concerns.
• Consultation works best when companies meet with First Nations communities in their community.
• First Nations people are local residents and are often the watchdogs of the environment, and in the north, First Nations people are the majority up here. Companies should respect this fact.
• Cumulative effects of pesticides should be addressed in the legislation. The interactions of different chemicals have long-term effects, and First Nations need to be involved in long-term revisions of plans when needed.
• Accommodation of Aboriginal rights and title is required, and this means more than just cash payments.
• Consultation needs to be effective — companies shouldn't be able to proceed when communities have serious concerns.
• MOE should fund further discussions with First Nations on the consultation guidelines.