Nine estuary management case studies in British Columbia were identified by Fisheries and Oceans Canada for review to document the planning process and plan components and to assess their effectiveness in protecting fish habitat. Six of the case studies were estuary management plans, with the Courtenay estuary plan accepted by DFO and in use by the Regional District but not the two local governments. Three of the studies, Prince Rupert, Port McNeill, and Tofino studies were actually habitat assessments of marine areas and were prepared to provide background information towards developing a plan. An estuary planning process for the Nanaimo River estuary was been initiated to develop a habitat classification and plan for the management and protection of fish habitat and other environmental values. The plan was targeted for completion in October 2002.