Lands – Taking Back Control of Our Reserve Lands and Resources.
Sumas has one main reserve – Upper Sumas IR #6, comprised of 235 Ha, approximately 580 acres. We are 2kms east of Abbotsford, BC, Upper Sumas Reserve #6 is on both sides of the Trans Canada Hwy. 1. Our membership is 352. The Sumas First Nation Land Code was enacted on November 11, 2011 under the Framework Agreement on First Nation Land Management.
Sumas First Nation (SFN) Land and Resources is responsible for Managing the Reserve Lands and Resources under the Land Code and we also implement and administer the SFN Property Tax Law. We have a Lands Advisory Committee (LAC) made up of five (5) members, they are appointed by Chief and Council every two (2) years. LAC is integral in providing advice, guidance and support of land development and resource management On Reserve. In addition, they are responsible for Law Development as directed by the Membership, Chief and Council and the Lands and Resources Department. The SFN Lands Team consists of a Lands & Resources Manager, Lands Property Taxation Manager, Lands Officer, Lands and Resource Biologist and Environmental Monitors.
The services provided by the Sumas First Nation Lands and Resources Department include: assistance with the development of leases and permits including undertaking regular environmental monitoring to ensure compliance. We assist SFN Members on their individual land holdings, with land transfers, new allotments, land surveys, settling of estates where land is involved and land development. We are responsible for developing policies and procedures, to better implement and administer the SFN Laws. In addition, we provide land registry services land title searches using the First Nations Lands Registry System. We are also working with the local RCMP and Bylaw Officers to enforce laws as needed.
Resources
Semá:th Land Use Plan
Map 1 – Semá:th Land Use Designations
Map 2 – Semá:th Land Use Developmental Considerations
Laws
Semath Land Code with amendments August 9 2012
Community Protection
Cannabis Law
CP Law
Flood Protection
Soil and Fill
Semá:th Animal Control Law July 2020
Semà:th Funeral Protocol During Covid-19 May 2020
Semà:th Business Permit Law February 2020
SFN_Subdivision, Development & Servicing Law
Prevention of Disorderly Conduct-Law 2015
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