Reserve Land and Environment Management Program

Overview:
The Reserve Land and Environment Management Program (RLEMP) provides funding and capacity-building support to First Nations to manage their reserve lands, natural resources and environment. The program provides tools, training and knowledge to help First Nations undertake land management activities under the Indian Act and build toward greater responsibility for their lands.

First Nations can train and certify a community land manager, establish a lands office and receive funding to carry out land, natural resource and environmental management activities. RLEMP can also help prepare communities for transition to more comprehensive land management models or self-government.

Funding Amount:
Funding is determined by a formula that considers:

• First Nation population
• Size of the reserve land base
• Type, number and complexity of land and natural resource transactions
• Environmental activities
• Compliance activities
• Level of responsibility

During RLEMP Level 1, First Nations are eligible for 80% of their operational funding while training a land manager and establishing a lands office. Once a certified land manager is in place at Level 2, First Nations receive 100% of their operational funding.

Budget 2023 also provided $30 million over 5 years, beginning in 2023–2024, to enhance the program.

Who Can Apply:
First Nations seeking to develop capacity to manage their reserve lands, resources and environment.

Project Examples:

• Training and certification of a community land manager
• Establishing and operating a lands office
• Land leases and permits
• Environmental site and impact assessments
• Environmental monitoring and audits
• Natural resource management and permits
• Community-based land use planning
• Compliance monitoring and enforcement
• Land and environmental management under the Indian Act

Province/Scope:
National