Stage One - Invitation to participate in 2022-2032 Abitibi River Forest Management Plan

The purpose of this notice is to advise the public, First Nation and Métis communities that the 10-year Forest Management Plan (FMP) is being prepared for the Abitibi River Forest for the period of April 1, 2022 to March 31, 2032. The plan will ensure the sustainability of the forest resource, encourage continued biodiversity, and provide social and economic opportunities of the Crown forest.

The plan is being prepared in accordance with the Crown Forest Sustainability Act (1994), the Forest Management Planning Manual (2017), and Declaration Order MNR-75 -the ministry’s environmental assessment requirements for forest management on Crown lands in Ontario. The forest management plan will provide for the sustainability of the Crown forest on the management unit, and will outline the long-term strategic direction and objectives for the management related to:

• sustainability of the forest resource;
• biodiversity;
• social and economic matters (including timber harvest levels);
• the provision of forest cover for those values which are dependent on forest cover; and silviculture

The planning process

The plan takes approximately three years to complete. During this time, five formal opportunities for public, First Nation and Métis involvement are provided:

• Stage One – Invitation to Participate: October 16, 2019
• Stage Two – Review of Proposed Long-Term Management Direction: October 2020
• Stage Three – Information Centre: Review of Proposed Operations: February 2021
• Stage Four – Information Centre: Review of Draft Forest Management Plan: August 2021
• Stage Five – Inspection of MNRF Approved Forest Management Plan: December 2021

This first stage notice is to advise you that preparation of the plan has started and to request:

• your contribution to background information, particularly information relating to values and important ecological features that could be affected by forest management activities, and
• your view of the desired forest condition and desired benefits which can be obtained from the forest.

How to get involved

Please provide any comments or information to the Ministry’s office listed below or if you wish to meet and discuss your interests and concerns with the planning team, and plan author please contact the individuals identified below.

Background information and sources of direction that are available for you to view includes the following:

• description of the management responsibilities on the forest and of the forest industry that is supplied from the forest
• values maps showing natural resource features, land uses and values
• description of the historic forest condition
• a map of existing roads and their use management strategies
• management unit annual reports, audit reports, and provincial reports pertaining to forest management
• sources of direction for the forest such as past plans, land use plans, any relevant policy direction under the Endangered Species Act, 2007, the Ministry's provincial goals, objectives and policies for natural resource management

The background information and further information about the forest management planning process will be available for the duration of plan preparation.

The general information regarding the FMP process as well as the information described in this notice, will be available at the office locations shown below, during normal office hours (8:30 AM to 4:30 PM). Meetings with representatives of the planning team and the LCC can be requested at any time during the planning process. Reasonable opportunities to meet planning team members during non-business hours will be provided upon request.

If you require more information or wish to discuss your interests and concerns with a planning team member, please contact one of the individuals listed below.

During the planning process there is an opportunity to make a written request to seek resolution of issues with the MNRF District Manager or the Regional Director using a process described in the 2017 Forest Management Planning Manual (Part A, Section 2.4.1).

About the forest

The Abitibi River Forest is located in the northeast corner of Ontario, within the area of the undertaking, bordering the Quebec border. The communities of Cochrane, Smooth Rock Falls, Iroquois Falls and Timmins are located within the Abitibi River Forest, which encompasses 3.5 million hectares. Approximately 2, 250,000 hectares of the total area of the Abitibi River Forest is considered productive forestlands. The Abitibi River Forest is located within the northern boundary of the Great Claybelt to the south and Kesagami Lake to the north and is situated within the Boreal Forest region of the province. According to the Provincial ecosystem classification system the Abitibi River Forest is located within the 3E ecoregion. Approximately 7 per cent of the land base, located in the northwest corner of the Abitibi River Forest falls in the 2E ecoregion.

Predominant tree species found in this area include black spruce, white spruce, balsam fir, jack pine, larch, cedar, poplar, white birch, and ash. Red pine and white pine are found intermittently throughout the southern portions of the area.

Stay involved

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

Stage Two - Review of the Proposed Long-Term Management Direction: October 2020

Stage Three - Information Centre: Review of Proposed Operations: February 2021

Stage Four - Information Centre: Review of Draft Forest Management Plan: August 2021

Stage Five - Inspection of MNRF-Approved Forest Management Plan: December 2021

If you would like to be added to a mailing list to be notified of public involvement opportunities, please contact Erin Armstrong at 705-272-7131.

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 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 Jamie Armstrong at 705-272-7113.