Constance Lake First Nation Community Based Land Use Plan

Description of policy

Constance Lake First Nation is leading the preparation of a community based land use plan in collaboration with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) within the context of the Far North Land Use Planning Initiative. Constance Lake First Nation is a road-accessible community located 32 km west of Hearst.

The community based land use 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. There will be respectful consideration of aboriginal traditional knowledge and contemporary science to make wise land use decisions and to provide opportunities for future generations. Constance Lake First Nation and MNRF will collectively develop land use designations that will promote a strong economy and sustain community members on the land. Land use designations will protect areas of significant cultural value; protect ecological systems; and maintain biological diversity and ecological processes and functions at both the local community and the broader landscape levels.

The planning process is expected to take more than a year to complete. All interested parties will have an opportunity to participate. The details of public participation are described below. As set out in the Far North Act, 2010, the final land use plan will require joint approval by Constance Lake First Nation and the Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry. Direction resulting from the 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 Constance Lake First Nation on the basis of past and present connections with the lands and waters of their traditional territories; ongoing aboriginal traditional knowledge research conducted with elders and other community members since 1997; and ongoing dialogue with neighbouring First Nations. Constance Lake First Nation intends to confirm a final planning area with the appropriate neighbouring First Nations prior to finalization of the draft plan.

Purpose of policy

To prepare a Community Based Land Use Plan for an area in the Far North of Ontario, led by Constance 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 will 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.

Terms of Reference have been prepared to guide the designation of a planning area in the Far North and the preparation of a land use plan for that planning area. The Terms of Reference have been approved by Constance Lake First Nation and the Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry and can be viewed at the web links provided below.

The following weblinks provide supporting information:

Information about the Far North and the Far North Act: www.ontario.ca/farnorth

Terms of Reference for the Constance Lake Community Based Land Use Plan: http://apps.mnr.gov.on.ca/public/files/er/constance-lake-terms-of-reference.pdf

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

An alternative to the government contact is:

Bertha Sutherland
Land Use Planning Coordinator
Constance Lake First Nation
P. O. Box 4000
Constance Lake, ON P0L 1B0
(705) 463-2405

Other public consultation opportunities

First Nations communities, resource users, local and provincial interest groups, government agencies, landowners, and the members of the general public will 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 have also been placed in local newspapers.

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

There are four (4) phases in the project:

At Phase 1 the Terms of Reference for planning will be shared, including sharing information and knowledge about the planning area that would assist in the development of the community based land use plan. In addition, issues needing be addressed in the planning process can be identified.

At Phase 2, the joint planning team describes objectives to guide preparation of the draft plan and begins dialogue on land use areas and activities to meet objectives. Dialogue with adjacent communities continues to confirm the planning area.

At Phase 3, the planning area is proposed for designation under the Far North Act, the Draft Community Based Land Use Plan is prepared, and a second public consultation opportunity will be provided to share and seek input on the draft plan.

At Phase 4, the final plan is prepared with consideration of all input to the draft plan. A decision notice will be provided upon approval of a Community Based Land Use Plan.

Opportunities for Public Involvement will include:

Phase 1 - Share Terms of Reference and invite participation;
Information centers will be held in Thunder Bay and Constance Lake.

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.

Phase 3 – Share Draft Community Based Land Use Plan for review and input – Fall 2015. Information centers will be held in Thunder Bay and Constance Lake.

Phase 4 – Notice of Final Community Based Land Use Plan - Winter 2016.