New Protected Area Established in North East BC

The British Columbia government has established a new protected area in the northeast of the province, designating approximately 45,000 hectares (450 square kilometres) as the K’ih tsaaʔdze Protection Area. Announced on July 13, 2026, the protected zone is larger than the city of Surrey and lies within Treaty 8 territory. It stems directly from a 2021 B.C. Supreme Court ruling that found cumulative impacts from industrial development had infringed on Treaty 8 rights, prompting collaborative action between the province and First Nations.

The new designation protects critical caribou habitat, including areas used by the Klinse-Za herd, as well as broader boreal ecosystems. Under the agreement with seven Treaty 8 First Nations, including the Doig River First Nation, existing industrial activities can continue, but no new disturbances are permitted. Forestry operations are specifically prohibited for the next four years. The protection is set for an initial 10-year period while the province and First Nations develop a much larger joint land-use plan covering up to 26,000 square kilometres.

This move represents a significant step toward balancing resource development with Indigenous rights and environmental conservation in northeastern B.C. Officials say it will help safeguard cultural values and biodiversity while providing certainty for ongoing land-use planning.