Final report - Integrated Land Management Bureau

Transportation Assessment of the Central & North Coast of BC
2. SITUATION ANALYSIS:
TRANSPORTATION ON THE CENTRAL AND NORTH COAST TODAY
This section describes the physical, population, community and economic factors
that drive transportation needs in the LRMP Plan Area, as well as an overview of
the various modes of transport that currently exist there.
2.1 Physical and Economic Setting
2.1.1 Physical Setting
The Central and North Coast LRMP Plan area comprises 6.5 million hectares of
land, stretching from Smith Sound at the southern extreme, to just south of
Stewart in northern BC.
Transportation Study Area: For the purposes of this assignment, we have
included the Central and North Coast LRMP Plan area, Kitimat and Kitamaat
Village, as well as Port Hardy, Kingcome and Health Bay in our definition of the
transportation study area. The latter communities have been included because of
their strong connection to the transportation systems on the Central and North
Coast. (Excluded from our analysis is the Pacific Inland Coast region, which
extends east from the Douglas Channel as far as the Kemano River and the
Kitlope. 1 )
The outer coast portion of the Central and North Coast is characterized by
numerous low-lying islands while further inland the terrain becomes very
mountainous with scenic inlets. The terrain is famous for its spectacular wilderness
features, and abundant natural resources, and draws more visitors every year.
Nevertheless, the Central and North Coast comprises one of the most remote parts
of BC, and many of the island and inland communities face challenges arising from
their limited accessibility.
Kitimat and Kitamaat Village are situated at the north end of the Douglas Channel.
The District of Port Hardy also plays a key regional role as the crossroad of
transportation for northern Vancouver Island and the Mid Coast, especially as the
southern terminal for the Port Hardy to Prince Rupert ferry.
The following map shows the geographic boundaries of the LRMP Plan area.
1 The City of Kitimat is the gateway to the Pacific Inland Coast.
Chisholm Consulting 2