Land use planning is a step-by-step process where the modern treaty government and other stakeholders together develop a long-term plan to guide the use and development of lands and related resources. Many modern treaties include provisions for land use planning on traditional lands.

Land use planning requires fostering a common understanding of the future vision for the land and how that vision should be attained.  Land use planning provisions in modern treaties ensure that residents and communities are consulted and play an integral role in developing and implementing the land use plan.

Achieving a final land use plan requires consensus building, as well as balancing the interests of non-Indigenous and Indigenous stakeholders.

Land use plans consider available traditional and scientific knowledge and generally provide for both conservation and development in order to promote economic, social and environmental well-being of the people living within the planning area.

Land use plans specify what land uses are permitted or not permitted in certain areas, taking into account existing uses (e.g., roads, camps and existing resource development) and future opportunities.

Final land use plans require the approval of modern treaty governments, as well as the appropriate provincial/territorial government and/or the federal government. These legally binding documents require that all related land use permits, licenses and authorizations conform to the land use plan.