3.0 Capacity Building for Ecosystem-based Management

There is a common vision held by valley residents for community-based control over resource, utilization in the Deadman watershed. The common goal is to support the local resource-based jobs and cultures. The following key steps are from current and previous community and watershed planning (1994, 1997, 1999 and 2001) to guide capacity building for those involved resource protection and sustainable use in the valley:

1. Reinstate Deadman Watershed Committee: develop an action, communications and business plan engaging valley residents in watershed management;

2. Continue efforts to develop a resource center including staff, equipment, and data center. The center should address cultural/sustainable use practices in the valley, language and traditional knowledge, as well as a specific reference species and habitats at risk, and project activities. Consider a habitat and management atlas to integrate data, management and ecological modeling tools as well as academic linkages to SFU/SCES and U.C.C. In conjunction with Weyerhaeuser,the Band is presently working towards the long term goal of developing a local comprehensive natural resource data base and forestry field office to be set up within the watershed and staffed by Band and other community members.

3. Develop policy and regulatory tools to implement sustainable resource management plans in forestry, range, fisheries and cultural resources etc. that embraces community/watershed values, utilizes local knowledge and extends control and benefit sharing plans for the residents of the Deadman River Watershed. Consider role of band jurisdiction and model for incorporating TEK;

4. Collaborate on eco-friendly and sustainable resource restoration and management strategies with watershed residents that increase local knowledge, employment, value and benefits from natural resources. Focus on land use practices, water, forests, range and riparian areas. Address community recycling and value added products from resources available within the valley;

5. Provide training and infrastructure development to facilitate local employment in future resource management work as part of community involvement in stewardship;

6. Build a business plan to support process (communications and planning), training, and policy development from the perspectives of valley residents.