Reserve Lands and Environment Management

The Lands and Economic Development Services Program provides targeted funding for lands and economic development support services to help communities achieve the objectives of the Program. This includes services that prevent the contamination of reserve lands and other lands under AANDC's custodial responsibility.

About the program

The Reserve Land and Environment Management Program (RLEMP) is a land management capacity building program that provides First Nations with the tools, skills, and knowledge required to manage their reserve lands, resources and environment and undertake Indian Act land management activities on behalf of the Minister of Indigenous Services.

First Nations in the Reserve Land and Environment Management Program are funded to train a land manager for their community through the Professional Lands Management Certification Program, administered by the National Aboriginal Lands Managers Association. Indigenous Services Canada also provides further funding to offset costs to undertake land management activities and operate a community lands office.

Certified land managers oversee work such as leasing, permitting, surveys, land use planning and other land, natural resources and environment activities. Their role provides an important foundation for economic development in First Nation communities.

Participating in the Reserve Land and Environment Management Program can prepare a community for transition to a more comprehensive land management model, such as the Framework Agreement on First Nation Land Management, or comprehensive self-government.

Levels of responsibility

There are 3 levels of responsibility under the Reserve Land and Environment Management Program. As First Nations progress from one level to the next, they develop the lands and environmental management capacity required to manage their reserve lands.

RLEMP Level 1: Training and development

• First Nations are funded to train and certify a land manager through the Professional Lands Management Certification Program and set up a lands office
• First Nations gradually take on land management responsibilities in partnership with Indigenous Services Canada
• Training and development is typically a 2 year process.

RLEMP Level 2: Operational

• Once a First Nation has a certified land manager, they progress to the operational level where they actively manage their reserve lands, natural resources and environment under the Indian Act.
• Indigenous Services Canada will no longer have the primary responsibility for the preparation of land management instruments, but retains the approval function.

RLEMP Level 3: Delegated authority (closed to new entrants since 2011)

• First Nations have additional lands management authority under section 53 or section 60 of the Indian Act
• First Nations will take on the approval function for land management activities as outlined under their delegation.

As First Nations progress through the Reserve Land and Environment Management Program, funding increases in recognition of the additional administrative responsibilities performed under the Indian Act. These administrative responsibilities include:

• lands management such as leases or permits
• environmental management such as environmental site assessments
• natural resource management such as permits for natural resource extraction like fishing and logging
• community-based land use planning
• compliance management such as promotion, monitoring, and enforcement

Funding

Funding is determined by a formula that considers:

• population of the First Nation
• size of the reserve land base
• the type, number and complexity of land and natural resources interests and transactions registered in the Indian Lands Registry System
• environmental activities, such as:
  • environmental site assessments
  • environmental impact assessments
  • environmental monitoring and audits
• compliance activities
• level of responsibility

While a First Nation is training a land manager (RLEMP Level 1), they are eligible for 80% of their operational funding to set up and start running a lands office. Once they have a certified land manager (RLEMP Level 2), First Nations then receive 100% of their operational funding as they take on full responsibility for lands and environmental management activities.

How to apply

A First Nation or tribal council must complete the First Nation Expression of Interest form (PAW# 6978371) and submit it to the nearest Indigenous Services Canada regional office.

Program enrollment is subject to available funding. As such, Indigenous Services Canada may not be able to offer a space to all First Nations that express interest in the Reserve Land and Environment Management Program. Indigenous Services Canada will conduct an assessment to prioritize entrants for program participation.

Prioritization criteria may include:

• Experience with land administration under the Indian Act
• Land management activity registered in the Indian Lands Registry System (ILRS)
• Environmental management knowledge and capacity
• Potential for economic development opportunities
• Prior land management interest
• a low General Assessment
  • The General Assessment provides a standard process for identifying potential issues that may impact the delivery of funded services

Once accepted into the Reserve Land and Environment Management Program, the First Nation or tribal council must pass a band council resolution agreeing to the terms of the program.

Deadline

There is no deadline to apply, and applications are considered throughout the year based on available funding.

Log in with Google

OR

Get Started to Apply