Deer Lake First Nation Community Based Land Use Plan

Description of policy

Deer Lake First Nation is leading preparation of a Community Based Land Use Plan, working together with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) within the context of the Far North Land Use Planning Initiative. Deer Lake is located 180 km north of Red Lake.

The plan will specify protected areas and other land use designations, identifying permitted land use activities within those areas. In preparing the land use plan, the objectives for planning in the Far North will be taken into account. The land use plan will be developed respecting traditional and other existing uses including tourism and mineral sector activities. Plan development will consider the capability of lands and resources to support additional land uses such as tourism, recreation, mineral sector activities, and forestry. Indigenous knowledge and science-based information and knowledge will support decision making.

The planning process is expected to take approximately 2 years, and will provide opportunity for all interested parties to participate. Details of public consultation opportunities are set out below. As set out in the Far North Act, the final plan will require a joint approval, by Deer Lake First Nation and by MNRF. Direction resulting from approval of the land use plan will be added to the Crown Land Use Policy Atlas.

A planning area of interest has been defined by Deer Lake First Nation on the basis of traditional use and existing traplines. With respect for the shared land uses and interests of adjacent First Nation communities, additional dialogue will take place to set out the final planning area.

Purpose of policy

To prepare a Community Based Land Use Plan for an area in the Far North of Ontario, led by Deer Lake First Nation working together with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry.

Other information

The Far North Act 2010 provides objectives for land use planning in the Far North. These objectives are to be taken into account in the preparation of the terms of reference for planning and the preparation of the plan:

• A significant role for First Nations in the planning.
• The protection of areas of cultural value in the Far North and the protection of ecological systems in the Far North by including at least 225,000 square kilometres of the Far North in an interconnected network of protected areas designated in community based land use plans.
• The maintenance of biological diversity, ecological processes and ecological functions, including the storage and sequestration of carbon in the Far North.
• Enabling sustainable economic development that benefits the First Nations.

Deer Lake Terms of Reference have been prepared that guide the designation of an area in the Far North as a planning area and the preparation of a land use plan for the planning area. The Terms of Reference have been jointly approved by Deer Lake and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry can be viewed at the weblink provided below.

The following weblinks provide supporting information:

• Information about Far North www.ontario.ca/farnorth
• Far North Act http://www.e-laws.gov.on.ca/html/statutes/english/elaws_statutes_10f18_e.htm
• Terms of Reference for the Deer Lake Community Based Land Use Plan December 2012 http://apps.mnr.gov.on.ca/public/files/er/stdprod_104186.pdf

During the development of a land use plan the Ministry is considering both Our Sustainable Future and its Statement of Environmental Values.

Draft Plan Stage

A Draft Deer Lake First Nation Community Based Land Use Plan has been prepared that recommends land use area designations, permitted activities and strategic direction to guide the manner in which permitted activities will take place.

The Draft Deer Lake Community Based Land Use Plan can be viewed at the following weblink http://apps.mnr.gov.on.ca/public/files/er/DeerLakeDraftPlan.pdf.  

Other public consultation opportunities

Outline consultation efforts to date and any planned communications (mail, internet, meetings).

First Nations communities, resource users, local and provincial interest groups, government agencies, landowners, and the members of the general public receive an Invitation to Participate through direct written notice. Persons not included in this initial mailing who wish to be involved in the process may have their names added to the mailing list by contacting the contact person listed in this notice. Public notice of this planning process has also been placed in local newspapers.

Information centers will provide information relevant to the particular phase of planning occurring at that time. Project Planning Team members will be present to provide information, collect comments, and answer questions. Summaries of all public input will be provided.

At phase I the planning team is sharing the Terms of Reference for planning, inviting comments and sharing information and knowledge about the planning area that would assist in the development of the community based land use plan. In addition, issues that need to be addressed in the planning process can be identified.

A second public consultation opportunity will be provided to share a Draft Community Based Land Use Plan (Phase 2). A decision notice will be provided upon approval of a final Community Based Land Use Plan (Phase 3).

Opportunities for Public Involvement will include:

Phase 1 - Share Terms of Reference and invite participation;

Information centers will be held in Red Lake on April 23, 2013

Details on information center arrangements (location, times) will be provided in newspaper notices and will be available from the contact person identified in this notice.

Dates beyond Phase 2 are tentative.

Phase 2 – Share Draft Community Based Land Use Plan for review and input; Information center will be held in Deer Lake on June 16 and Red Lake on June 18, 2015

Phase 3 – Notice of Final Community Based Land Use Plan - Fall 2015