Stage Two: Review of proposed long-term management direction on the 2021-2031 Forest Management Plan for the Martel-Magpie forest

We are advising the public, First Nation and Métis communities that the ten-year Forest Management Plan is being prepared for the Martel-Magpie Forest for the period April 1, 2021 to March 31, 2031. The plan will ensure the sustainability of the forest resource, encourage continued biodiversity, and provide social and economic opportunities of the Crown forest.

The planning process

The Martel-Magpie Forest Management Plan takes approximately three years to complete. During this time, five formal opportunities for public consultation and First Nation and Métis community involvement and consultation are provided.

The first opportunity (Stage One) for this plan occurred on November 7, 2018 when the public was invited to “Participate” in the development of the plan.

This ‘Stage Two’ notice is:

• To invite you to review and comment on:
  • the proposed long-term management direction for the forest
  • the areas which could reasonably be harvested, and the preferred areas for harvest operations, during the 10-year period of the plan
  • the analysis of alternative one-kilometer wide corridors for each new primary road which is required for the next 20 years 
• To request your contribution to background information to be used in planning.

How to get involved

To facilitate your review, a summary of the proposed long-term management direction for the forest can be obtained on the Ontario government website noted below. A summary map(s) of the preferred and optional harvest areas for the 10-year period of the plan and alternative corridors for each new primary road which is required for the next 20 years will also be available.

In addition to the most current versions of the information and maps which were available at Stage One of public consultation, the following information and maps will be available:

• draft First Nation and Métis Background Information Report. Only if the First Nation and Métis community(s) agree
• summary of public comments and submissions received to date and any responses to those comments and submissions
• a summary report of the results of the desired forest and benefits meeting
• environmental analysis, including use management strategies of the alternative corridors for each new primary road
• maps that portray past and approved areas of harvest operations for the current forest management plan and the previous 10 years
• criteria used for the identification of areas that could reasonably be harvested during the 10-year period of the plan
• the rationale for the preferred areas for harvest
• summary report of the activities of the local citizen’s committee to date

The above information is available at the Company and our Ministry office identified below by appointment during normal office hours for a period of 30 days October 16, 2019 to November 15, 2019.

Comments on the proposed long-term management direction for the Martel-Magpie Forest must be received by Kelly Ellis of the planning team at the Ministry’s Chapleau District office by November 15, 2019.

About the forest

The Martel-Magpie Forest is in the Northeast Region and partially within Chapleau and Wawa Districts. We are working towards an amalgamation of the Martel Forest and Magpie Crown Management Unit. The proposed amalgamation would result in one new Forest Management Plan by dissolving the administrative boundary between the two original forests. The plan will be prepared by RYAM Forest Management in accordance with the provisions of the Forest Management Planning Manual.

The Ministry’s Chapleau and Wawa Districts oversee the development of the plan which is carried out by RYAM in consultation with the public, as well as First Nation and Métis communities.

The Martel-Magpie Forest is situated in the Boreal Forest region. It has an approximate total forested area of 1,401,123 hectares, of which 86 per cent (1,200,308 hectares) is classified as Crown land. Approximately seven per cent of the Crown land (104,275 hectares) is classified as provincial parks and conservation reserves. The remaining seven per cent (111,880 hectares) consists of a variety of patented land holdings. The main tree species include jack pine, black and white spruce, poplar and white birch, with minor components of balsam fir, cedar, larch and red pine.

The Michipicoten, Missanabie Cree, Batchewana, Garden River, Chapleau Cree, Brunswick House, Biigtigong Nishnaabeg, Pic Mobert, Mississauga, Chapleau Ojibwe First Nation communities, as well as Red Sky Métis Independent Nation, Bar River Métis, and Métis Nation of Ontario regions 2, 3, 4 are in or adjacent to the Martel-Magpie Forest.

Timber is harvested pursuant to an approved Forest Management Plan on the current Martel Forest, providing a primary source of conifer to RYAM’s sawmill in Chapleau. Oriented strand board grade poplar and white birch has been sold to Georgia-Pacific Northwoods LP for use in their oriented strand board mill in Englehart. Poplar veneer is sold to Levesque Plywood Limited (Columbia Forest Products) in Hearst. Timber is harvested pursuant to an approved forest management plan on the current Magpie Crown Management Unit providing spruce pine fur to Haavaldsrud Lumber LP (Hornepayne) and poplar to Levesque Plywood Limited. Wood fibre also flows to AV Terrace Bay and White River Forest Products. The Martel-Magpie Forest will also be a source of supply to individuals who rely on incidental species such as cedar for specialty products and low-quality white birch for fuelwood.

In addition to fibre for commercial use, the forest supports wildlife and ecosystem functions such as carbon sinks and water conservation. Commercial and non-commercial recreation opportunities are also associated with the forest.

Stay involved

There will be three more formal opportunities for you to be involved. These stages are listed and tentatively scheduled as follows:

Stage Three – Information Centre: Review of Proposed Operations: February 2020

Stage Four – Information Centre: Review of Draft Forest Management Plan: September 2020

Stage Five – Inspection of Ministry-Approved Forest Management Plan: December 2020

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry is collecting your personal information and comments under the authority of the Crown Forest Sustainability Act. Any personal information you provide (address, name, telephone, etc.) will be protected in accordance with the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act however, your comments will become part of the public consultation process and may be shared with the general public. Your personal information may be used by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry to send you further information related to this forest management planning exercise. If you have questions about the use of your personal information, please contact Leah Cyr, Chapleau District at 705-864-3116.