Stage Four: Information Centre - Review of Draft 2021-2031 Dryden Forest Management Plan

Our Ministry, along with Dryden Forest Management Company Ltd. and the Dryden Local Citizens’ Advisory Committee (LCAC), invite you to participate in the development 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 – Review of Proposed Long-Term Management Direction: October 23, 2019
• Stage Three – Information Centre: Review of Proposed Operations: December 23, 2019

This ‘Stage Four’ notice is to:

• invite you to review and comment on the draft Forest Management Plan
• request contributions to the background information to be used in planning

 Comments from the public will be considered in revisions to the draft FMP.

How to Get Involved

The Draft FMP and the Draft FMP summary will be available electronically on the Ontario government website or can be made available electronically by contacting the Dryden Forest Management Company Ltd. contact listed below, during normal office hours for a period of 60 days: July 29, 2020 – September 28, 2020. Comments on the draft FMP for the Dryden Forest must be received by DJ Armit of the planning team by September 28, 2020.

In addition to the most current versions of the information and maps which were previously available the following information can be obtained electronically on the Ontario government website to assist you in your review: 

• Draft FMP, including supplementary documentation
• Draft FMP summary
• MNRF's preliminary list of required alterations

Remote meetings with representatives of the planning team and the LCC can be requested at any time during the planning process. Reasonable opportunities to remotely meet planning team members during non-business hours will be provided upon request. If you require more information or wish to discuss your interests with a planning team member, please contact one of the individuals listed below:

MNRF Contact
DJ Armit, R.P.F.
Management Forester
MNRF, Dryden District Office
479 Government St., Floor 2
P.O. Box 730
Dryden, ON. P8N 2Z4
(807) 223-7526
dj.armit@ontario.ca

Company Contact
Dave Legg, R.P.F.
Plan Author
Dryden Forest Management
Co. Ltd.
28A Earl Avenue
Dryden, ON. P8N 1X5
(807) 223-7216, Ext. 1
fmp@drydenforest.ca

LCAC Contact
Paul Heayn
Dryden LCAC Representative
c/o MNRF, Dryden District Office
479 Government St., Floor 2
P.O. Box 730
Dryden, ON. P8N 2Z4

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).

The last possible date to seek issue resolution with the MNRF Regional Director is October 28, 2020.

About the Forest

The Dryden Forest is within the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) Northwest Region and in the Dryden administrative district.

The Dryden Forest is approximately 307,117 hectares in size and 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 it’s centre. Other communities encompassed within the forest boundaries include Vermillion Bay, Eagle River, Waldof, Oxdrift, Wabigoon, Dinorwic and Dyment.

The main tree species that the forest supports are jack pine, white spruce, 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 FP’s Thunder Bay pulp and paper mill, as well as Weyerhaeuser’s Kenora TrusJoist mill, EACOM Ear Falls sawmill, and Norbord Barwick OSB mill.

Over the past 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 forest management plan, 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

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 November 2020.

The approval date of the FMP is tentatively scheduled for November 23, 2020, with implementation on April 1, 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 Julie Berard at 807-223-7521.

An alternative to the government contact for this notice is:

Dave Legg, R.P.F.
Dryden Forest Management Company Ltd.
28A Earl Avenue, Dryden, ON. P8N 1X5
(807) 223-7216, Ext. 1
fmp@drydenforest.ca