The Nisga'a Nation has signed a benefits agreement with the company planning to build a natural gas pipeline through the 85 kilometres of Nisga'a lands -- including a portion through the Nisga'a Memorial Lava Bed Park.

     Yesterday, the executive of the Nisga'a Lisims Government passed a resolution, authorizing President Mitchell Stevens to execute the agreement with the subsidiary of Trans Canada Pipelines.

     The Nisga'a say the pipeline route was chosen to balance the impacts the project would have on the environment and on Nisga'a Treaty interests against the benefits the agreement would provide for the First Nation.

     Also today, the BC government introduced legislation that could allow for the removal of 63.5 hectares of land from the park if the proposed pipeline project goes ahead.

    The province says the move comes after discussions with the First Nation, where the two parties jointly manage the park.

    Environment Minister Mary Polak says changing the park's boundaries would require consent from the band for a 900-kilometre pipeline proposed by Prince Rupert Gas Transmission.

    As well, the government announced today that the Nisga'a Nation would have authority over property tax of its own land if the two pieces of legislation are passed.

    Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation Minister John Rustad has introduced a bill, which along with an agreement signed by both parties in July, would allow the Nisga'a to levy and collect tax from non-Nisga'a citizens, including companies that would install L-N-G pipelines.

    The gas-line, if built, would stretch from Hudson's Hope, in Northeast BC, to the proposed Pacific Northwest LNG export terminal on Lelu Island, near Prince Rupert.  

     The Malaysian state-owned company Petronas is excepted to make a decision on whether or not to proceed with the project before the end of the year.