This notice is for informational purposes only. There is no requirement to consult on this initiative on the Environmental Registry of Ontario. Learn more about the types of notices on the registry.
Why consultation isn't required
The Environmental Bill of Rights does not require this notice to be placed on the Environmental Registry of Ontario. We are voluntarily posting this notice for information purposes to advise interested parties of the formal public consultation opportunities for this proposal in accordance with the requirements of the Forest Management Planning Manual. To participate in that consultation process, the public is invited to submit comments to the contact person identified in this notice.
Bulletin details
The purpose of this notice is to advise the public, First Nation and Métis communities that the 10-year Forest Management Plan is being prepared for the Gordon Cosens Forest for the period of April 1, 2020 to March 31, 2030. 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 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 10, 2017
- Stage Two – Review of Proposed Long-Term Management Direction: February 13, 2019
- Stage Three – Information Centre: Review of Proposed Operations: June 3, 2019 when the public was invited to review and comment on proposed operations of the plan.
This ‘Stage Four’ notice is to:
- invite you to review and comment on the draft Forest Management Plan, and
- request contributions to the background information to be used in planning.
Comments from the public will be considered in revisions to the draft plan.
How to get involved
The Draft Forest Management Plan and summary will be available on our website and at the Rayonier Advanced Materials Inc. office locations noted below, by appointment during normal office hours for a period of 60 days from November 19, 2019 to January 18, 2020.
Comments on the draft plan for the Gordon Cosens Forest must be received by Joshua Breau RPF of the planning team at the ministry’s Kapuskasing office by January 18, 2020.
Our information centre and ServiceOntario locations in Kapuskasing and the ministry district offices may provide internet access. To assist you in the review and to provide the opportunity to ask questions, information centres will be held at the following locations on the following days:
From 12:00pm – 3:00pm for First Nation and Métis members only
Tuesday November 19, 2019: Centre de Loisirs
7 Aurora Avenue, Kapuskasing Ontario P5N 1J6
From 4:00pm– 8:00pm for the public
Tuesday November 19, 2019: Centre de Loisirs
7 Aurora Avenue, Kapuskasing Ontario P5N 1J6
In addition to the most current versions of the information and maps which were previously available, the following information will also be available:
- Draft Forest Management Plan, including supplementary documentation
- Draft Forest Management Plan summary (copies may be obtained at the information centre[s])
- Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry’s preliminary list of required alterations
During the planning process there is an opportunity to make a written request to seek resolution of issues with the ministry’s District Manager or the Regional Director using a process described in the 2017 Forest Management Planning Manual (Part A, Section 2.4.1). The last possible date to seek issue resolution with the Regional Director is February 17, 2020.
About the forest
The Gordon Cosens Forest is located in the boreal forest in the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry Northeast Region. It is predominately located within the Ministry’s Hearst District and also overlaps with the boundaries of Chapleau and Timmins Districts. The Forest encompasses a total area of 2,005,305 hectares of which 1,917,444 hectares is classified as forested land and 87,861 hectares as non-forested (e.g., water, grass and meadow, unclassified and agricultural land). Of the total forested area, 1,732,722 hectares is productive forest and 184,722 hectares is non-productive forest (e.g. treed muskeg, open muskeg, brush, alder and rock). The Crown-managed (not park) productive forest is 1,511,844 hectares. The main tree species are black and white spruce, jack pine, balsam fir, poplar, and white birch, with lesser amounts of larch and cedar.
Stay involved
A final opportunity to inspect the approved plan before it is implemented will take place during the inspection of the ministry-approved Forest Management Plan (Stage Five), which is tentatively scheduled for February 26, 2020.
The approval date of the plan is tentatively scheduled for April 3, 2020.
We are 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 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: Josee Tourville at 705-372-2227
Supporting materials
View materials in person
Some supporting materials may not be available online. If this is the case, you can request to view the materials in person.
Get in touch with the office listed below to find out if materials are available.
Ontario Government Building
122 Government Road West
Kapuskasing,
ON
P5N 2X8
Canada
1 Government Road, PO Box 150
Kapuskasing,
ON
P5N 2Y2
Canada
Connect with us
Contact
Erin Symington-Armstrong
Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry
5520 Highway 101 East, Floor 1
South Porcupine,
ON
P0N 1H0
Canada