I attended the public…

I attended the public information centre in Thunder Bay, to find out additional information, as well as, have the opportunity to comment on this proposed land use change in the Amethyst Highlands.
In response to the questionnaire provided at the info centre.
1. word of mouth
2. my interests are both personal recreational as well as commercial/industrial
3. fishing / hiking
4. couple of times a year
5. summer / fall
6. The part that I support is to protect the fisheries.
7. the parts that concerns me is removal of available, productive Crown land from the managed Forest. These areas have been reduced numerous times and are having a direct impact on the fibre supply to local mills. By reducing the landbase, this has a direct impact on the long term fibre supply which in turn will impact mill viability and impact on local jobs for the Thunder Bay area.

Secondly, the proposed areas of no new activities don't make sense when you look at the map provided. These are simply buffering lakes, regardless of the land tenure and areas on the east and west side of Little Hilma, and Elbow lakes (east side), that are blocked by patient land should not be considered in this proposal, as the Crown cannot ensure that no new activities will occur on the patent lands.

Under current forest management practices, the industry is to emulate natural disturbances through harvesting, if you are not allowing new activities how is it proposed to renew the forest ecosystem in this area. Will fire be allowed to burn, or it the objective to have the forest condition mirror that of the Sleeping Giant PP?

My other concern is around creating a "private park" for those land owners that already own land in the area, and not allowing others to benefit from this area.

Thanks,