Stage Three: Information Centre – Review of Proposed Operations for the 2021-2031 Dryden Forest Management Plan

Our Ministry, along with Dryden Forest Management Company Ltd. and the Dryden Local Citizens’ Advisory Committee, invite you to an information centre. This information centre is being held as part of the detailed planning of operations for the 10-year period of the 2021-2031 Forest Management Plan (FMP) for the Dryden Forest.

The planning process

The 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:

• Stage One – Invitation to Participate: September 15, 2018
• Stage Two – Proposed Long-term Management Direction: October 23, 2019 to November 22,  2019

This Stage Three notice is:

• to invite you to review and comment on:
  • the details of access, harvest, renewal and tending operations for the 10-year period of the plan, and
  • the proposed primary and branch road corridors and the proposed operational road boundaries for the 10-year period of the plan
• to request contributions to the background information to be used in planning

The detailed proposed operations will be available for review and comment at the Dryden Forest Management Company Ltd. office and the MNRF Dryden district office at the locations shown below by appointment during normal office hours for a period of 60 days: January 22, 2020 – March 23, 2020.

Comments on the proposed operations for the Dryden Forest must be received by DJ Armit of the planning team at the MNRF Dryden District Office by March 23, 2020.

Meetings with representatives of the planning team and the Local Citizens’ Advisory Committee 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).

How to get involved

To facilitate your review, an information centre will be held at the following location from 3:00 pm – 7:00 pm on the following day:

• Wednesday, January 22, 2020 - Best Western Plus Dryden Hotel & Conference Centre, 349 Government Street, Dryden, Ontario

The following information may be obtained at the information centre:

• summary of the MNRF regional director preliminary endorsed long-term management direction
• summary map(s) of:
  • the planned areas for harvest, renewal and tending operations for the 10-year period of the plan
  • the proposed corridors for new primary and branch roads for the 10-year period of the plan

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

• summary of public comments and submissions received to date and any responses to those comments and submissions
• the proposed road use management strategies
• the list of required modifications resulting from the public review of the long-term management direction

The detailed proposed operations will be available for review and comment at the Dryden Forest Management Company Ltd. office and the MNRF Dryden district office at the locations shown below by appointment during normal office hours for a period of 60 days: January 22, 2020 – March 23, 2020.

Comments on the proposed operations for the Dryden Forest must be received by DJ Armit of the planning team at the MNRF Dryden District Office at (807) 223-7526 by March 23, 2020.

Meetings with representatives of the planning team and the Local Citizens’ Advisory Committee 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 Dryden Forest is within the MNRF​​​​​​​ Northwest Region and in the Dryden administrative district.

The Dryden Forest is approximately 307,117 hectares in size and is located in the Boreal forest region in Northwestern Ontario. The Dryden Forest is bordered on the south, north and east by the Wabigoon Forest and on the northwest by the Whiskey Jack Forest. It is transected east to west by Highway #17, with the City of Dryden located approximately in its centre. Other communities encompassed within the forest boundaries include Vermillion Bay, Eagle River, Waldolf, Oxdrift, Wabigoon, Dinorwic and Dyment.

The main tree species that the forest supports are jack pine, white and black spruce and poplar. The fibre from this forest is sold on the open market to the following mill facilities: Domtar’s Dryden pulp and paper mill and Resolute’s Thunder Bay pulp and paper mill, as well as Weyerhaeuser’s Kenora TrusJoist mill and Kenora Forest Products sawmill.

Over the last several decades, the focus of forest management operations has expanded from meeting timber production objectives to maintaining forest ecosystems and protecting natural heritage areas. With each subsequent FMP more forest values have been identified and considered for protection. This continual review, assessment, and modification of the management practices are essential to ensure the sustainability of all forest resources.

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

 Stage Four - Information Centre: Review of Draft FMP  July 29, 2020

 Stage Five - Inspection of MNRF​​​​​​​-Approved FMP  November 23, 2020

The tentative scheduled date for submission of the draft FMP is May 21, 2020

If you would like to be added to a mailing list to be notified of public involvement opportunities, please contact DJ Armit at (807) 223-7526.

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 by the MNRF​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ 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 Trevor Davis at (807) 223-7522.