Stefan Szeder - Licence for a forest resource processing facility

Description of instrument

The Ministry of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry is considering the issuance of a type “K” forest resource processing facility licence to authorize the establishment and operation of a forest resource processing facility.  Under Ontario Regulation 167/95 under the Crown Forest Sustainability Act, a type “K” licence is issued for an “Other Wood Fibre Product Facility” which will consume more than 5,000 cubic metres per year (m3/yr).  Typical products include lumber, sawdust, bark, by-product chips, etc.  A forest resource processing facility licence may be issued for a term of up to 5 years.

Other information

Stefan Szeder, sole proprietor, has submitted a proposal to establish and operate a wood fibre by-product facility.  The facility is to be constructed on the site of the former Barwick Peat Plant near Barwick, Ontario. The proposal involves the re-construction and operation of a processing facility which will include equipment necessary for receiving fibre, debarking, sawing, drying, chipping/creating shavings, mulching, packaging/bagging, and shipping bags of primarily wood shavings. 

The proponent is proposing to consume Crown forest resources.  Harvesting of forest resources in a Crown forest will be conducted in accordance with approved Forest Management Plans.  Harvesting of trees reserved to the Crown on patented or privately-owned lands will be conducted in accordance with a licence to Harvest granted under Ontario Regulation 167/95.

The processing facility is expected to produce 50,000 m3/yr of shavings, bark and peat product and lumber annually for the commodity market in North America, primarily the pet and garden supply market.  The planned annual fibre supply for the sawmill is approximately 17,500 m3/yr of cedar, black spruce, white and red pine and balsam fir.  The wood supply for the sawmill will be acquired on the open market primarily from Boundary Waters Forest through licences held by Boundary Waters Forest Management Corp.  Upon its completion, the sawmill is expected to have up to 8 direct employees. This facility will use by-products that are often unutilized and therefore will assist in maximizing wood utilization and sustainability.