Review of the Proposed Jack Pine Budworm 2020 Insect Pest Management Program – Red Lake, Kenora, Dryden and Sioux Lookout Districts

We invite you to an information centre to review and comment on a proposed insect pest management program to control the jack pine budworm infestation on the Kenora, Dryden, Wabigoon, Trout Lake, Whiskey Jack, Red Lake, Whitefeather, Lac Seul, Caribou and English River Forests in the Dryden, Red Lake, Kenora and Sioux Lookout Districts.  We are considering a variety of options (e.g. redirected harvest and salvage harvest) but based upon the analysis of the available insect pest management options, we are proposing a course of action that would also include aerial spraying of insecticide on selected forest stands as part of an overall integrated strategy.

Since 2017, the current jack pine budworm infestation has damaged approximately 1,033,378 hectares of forest in Northwestern Ontario. An insect pest management program was prepared and implemented in 2019 to treat approximately 100,000 hectares of the 2018 infestation. The infestation has damaged areas in the MNRF's administrative districts of Dryden, Kenora, and Red Lake with recent expansion into the Sioux Lookout District, within the Dryden, Wabigoon, Whiskey Jack, Red Lake, Trout Lake, Whitefeather, Caribou, Lac Seul and English River Forests over approximately 1,033,378 hectares. A jack pine budworm outbreak can significantly reduce forest benefits and has increased the fire hazard in the Northwest Region. To mitigate the economic, safety and social impacts, the development of another Insect Pest Management Program has been proposed.

The management options for addressing a jack pine budworm outbreak are described in the Forest Management Planning Manual (2017).  Under the direction of the manual, an interdisciplinary planning team designated by the Regional Director is required to evaluate several options which include:

• no treatment
• accelerated harvest
• redirected harvest
• salvage harvest
• prescribed burns
• the use of insecticides
• other controls (e.g. bait traps)
• appropriate combinations of other options

The evaluation was based on the assessment of the advantages and disadvantages of each forest management option using existing scientific information and local knowledge based on past outbreaks.  Based on the evaluation of the severity and extent of the outbreak, the planning team has concluded that an aerial spray with the insecticide Bacillus thuringiensis will likely be required in selected areas.  This is considered an efficient and safe way to protect the tree growing investments and minimize the significant fire hazard. Bacillus thuringiensis is a recommended, approved product that is a biological agent found naturally occurring in forest soils and can be used to control jack pine budworm outbreaks. The results of management option evaluations will be used in addressing the infestation.

How to get involved

Information Centre(s) will be held at the following location(s) from  3:00pm -7:00pm local time on the following date(s):

Ear Falls: January 28, 2020 at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch #238 hall, located at 40 John Street in Ear Falls, Ontario.

Dryden: January 29, 2020 at the Royal Canadian Legion Hall Branch #63 hall, located at 34 Queen Street in Dryden, Ontario.

Sioux Lookout: January 30, 2020 at the Royal Canadian Legion hall Branch #78 hall, located at 86 Front Street in Sioux Lookout, Ontario.

Ignace: February 4, 2020 at the Royal Canadian Legion Hall Branch #168 hall, located at 168 McLeod Street in Ignace, Ontario.

The district offices listed below will have general information and a display of the draft proposed operations available for viewing and comment during the comment period from January 28 – February 12, 2020 during normal business hours by appointment. Please call ahead to ensure someone is available to assist you with the review.

Stay involved

Comments on the proposed insect pest management program and associated project proposals must be received by the appropriate MNRF regional contact listed below by February 12, 2020.

During the preparation of an insect pest management program, there is an opportunity to make a written request to seek resolution of issues with the MNRF regional director using a process described in the 2017 Forest Management Planning Manual (Part D, 7.5.4; Part A, Section 2.4.1.2). The last day to request issue resolution is March 13, 2020.  

Stage 2 – Approval of the Insect Pest Management Program: Tentatively April 1, 2020.

This is a notice issued to provide notification of the approved program. No comments are being sought at this stage.

An approved insect pest management program is scheduled for implementation commencing May 25, 2020.