Stage Two: Review of Proposed Long-term Management Direction on the 2021-2031 Forest Management Plan for the Pineland forest

The Ministry, EACOM Timber Corporation and the Pineland Local Citizens’ Committee invite you to review and comment on the proposed long-term management direction for the 2021 – 2031 Pineland Forest Management Plan.

The planning process

The Pineland 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 14, 2018 when the public was invited to “Participate” in the development of the plan.

This Stage Two notice is:

1. 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

      2. 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 (www.ontario.ca/forestplans).  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 office identified below by appointment during normal office hours for a period of 30 days February 27, 2020 – March 28, 2020.

Comments on the proposed long-term management direction for the Pineland Forest must be received by Kelly Ellis of the planning team at our Chapleau district office by March 28, 2020.

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).

About the forest

The Pineland Forest Management Unit is located within the Northeast Region of the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry. Communities within or adjacent to the management unit include the unorganized communities of Foleyet and Gogama. The total area of forest is approximately 3,910 square kilometres.

The Pineland Forest is managed under a Sustainable Forest License issued by the Ministry to Pineland Timber Company Ltd and managed by EACOM Timber Corporation. The Forest Management Plan is being prepared by EACOM Timber Corporation, in co-operation with our Ministry’s Chapleau and Timmins Districts and a Local Citizens' Committee.

The Pineland Forest is situated within the Boreal Forest Region. The main tree species that the forest supports are jack pine, white and black spruce, poplar and birch, with minor components of balsam fir, white pine, eastern white cedar and tolerant hardwoods.

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: June 2020

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

Stage Five – Inspection of Ministry-Approved Forest Management Plan: February 2021

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 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.