‘Na̱mg̱is First Nation will soon have more say over what happens to lands surrounding the Nimpkish, Vancouver Island’s longest river. Implementation of a land-use plan for the Nimpkish Valley, developed by the First Nation and province over the course of a decade, was officially kick-started by ministerial orders signed last week in Nanaimo. ‘It will govern a wide range of land uses, including forestry, tourism, conservation and power generation. The proposed terms of the Gwa’ni Land Use Planning Project would increase protected areas in the valley to 54 per cent from 38 per cent, and reduce forestry and other commercial activities in an area that has been harvested since the early 1900s. …Elected ‘Na̱mg̱is Chief Victor Isaac said the plan will help make the forest sector in the region more sustainable. That sentiment was echoed by the mayors of Port McNeill and Port Hardy.