Vermilion Forest Management Company Limited - Forest management plan

Proposal update

This notice was updated on June 3, 2019 to clarify that the formal consultation period is for Stage 3 is from May 24, 2019 to July 22, 2019 (60 days). Please see the planning process for Stage 1 and Stage 2 on the old Environmental Registry (ER) by searching for ER number 013-1678.

Proposal details

The forest management plan for the Sudbury Forest for the period of April 1, 2020 to March 31, 2030 is being prepared.

The plan is being prepared in accordance with the Crown Forest Sustainability Act (1994), the Forest Management Planning Manual (2017), and Declaration Order MNR-75 - MNRF's environmental assessment requirements for forest management on Crown lands in Ontario.

The forest management plan will provide for the sustainability of the Crown forest on the management until, and will outline the long-term strategic direction and objectives related to:

• sustainability of the forest resource
• biodiversity
• social and economic matters (including timber harvest levels)
• the provision of forest cover for those values which are dependent on forest cover
• silviculture

Description

The Sudbury Forest is bounded on the east by Lake Nipissing; on the west by the Town of Nairn Centre; on the south by the French River and Georgian Bay; and on the north by Lady Evelyn-Smoothwater Provincial Park. The City of Greater Sudbury is roughly the geographical centre of the Forest. Several major highways (17, 144 and 69) bisect the Sudbury Forest. The total area of the Sudbury Forest is approximately 11,450 square kilometres. Around 26% of the forest is considered private land which is excluded from the scope of the forest management plan.

The Sudbury Forest is important for resource based tourism and outdoor recreation support it affords in the form of hunting, fishing, camping and cottage opportunities. Maintained trail networks support snowmobile recreationalists during the winter. Registered trap lines are also located throughout the forest. Several Provincial and Municipal parks, Conservation Areas and other protected spaces also contribute to the forest’s natural diversity.

Numerous First Nation and Mètis communities rely on the resources of the Sudbury Forest for their harvesting and spiritual activities.

The Sudbury Forest is located in the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Forest Region. The northern third of the Sudbury Forest is predominated by jack pine, black spruce, white birch and poplar. The remaining south-central portion contains a significant component of white pine and red pine. Lesser amounts of maple, yellow birch, white spruce, hemlock, cedar, larch, balsam fir, basswood, oak, white ash and black ash are also found.

The forest has been managed under Sustainable Forest Licence #542442 by the Vermilion Forest Management Company Limited.

In terms of commercial utilization of these timber resources, the Sudbury Forest is a key supplier of spruce, pine and fir softwood timber to EACOM’s sawmill in Nairn Center. The residual softwood chips from this operation are sent to Domtar’s nearby pulp and paper mill in Espanola. Until recently, this mill also received considerable round wood from the forest. Occasionally a volume of spruce, pine and fir logs is received by the EACOM sawmill in Ostrom.

Red and white pine sawlogs from the Sudbury Forest are an important part of the supplies for H&R Chartrand Lumber in Noelville, Goulard Lumber in Sturgeon Falls, Lahaie Lumber in Alban, and Gervais Forest Products in Falconbridge.

Hardwood species are typically shipped to the pulp and paper mill in Espanola. Quality intolerant hardwood logs when encountered have been sold to Rockshield in Cochrane and Global LVL in Ville Marie (Quebec). Red pine and jack pine poles when encountered were delivered to Northern Pressure Treated in Dobie and Herb Shaw Limited in Pembroke. A few other mills receive smaller amounts of wood from the Sudbury Forest.

The focus of forest management operations over the past two decades has expanded from meeting timber production objectives, to maintaining forest ecosystems and protecting natural heritage areas. With each subsequent forest management plan in the Sudbury Forest, 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 ecosystem features.

Other information

Information about the forest management planning process, information which will be used in the preparation of the plan, and background information about the management unit can be reviewed during normal office hours at the Ministry's Sudbury District Office. It is recommended that persons make an appointment for viewing. This background information may also be viewed during non-business hours by making an appointment with Tim Lehman, District Management Forester, Sudbury District at: (705) 564-7875.

An alternate to the government contact for this notice is:

Scott McPherson R.P.F.
Plan Author
Vermilion Forest Management Company
P.O. Box 179, 128 Lansdowne Avenue East
Callander, Ontario P0H 1H0
705-752-5430 ext. 23

Ron Luopa, R.P.F.
Operations Forester
Vermilion Forest Management Company
311 Harrison Drive
Sudbury Ontario P3E 5E1
705-560-6363

Consultation Opportunities

In accordance with the provisions of the Forest Management Planning Manual, formal public consultation and First Nation and Métis community involvement and consultation is planned to occur at five stages during the preparation, review and approval of this plan. The Forest Management Planning Manual sets out that direct written notice is required to be given to certain individuals and organizations at each stage of the planning process; individuals and organizations may request to be added to this list, which is updated at each stage. Media notice is given through advertisements in local newspapers.

The following is a summary of the public consultation, and First Nation and Métis community involvement and consultation:

Stage One – Invitation to Participate: December 06, 2017

Stage Two – Review of Long-Term Management Direction: February 19, 2019

Stage Three – Information Centre; Review of Proposed Operations: May 24, 2019

There is one other formal public consultation, and First Nation and Métis community involvement and consultation opportunities tentatively scheduled as follows:

Stage Four – Information Centre; Review of Draft Forest Management Plan: October, 2019

Stage Five – Inspection of Ministry approved Forest Management Plan: January, 2020

An approved forest management plan is scheduled for implementation commencing April 1, 2020.

All comments and submissions received for Stages One to Four will be considered as part of the decision-making by the ministry. Under the public consultation provisions and First Nation and Métis community involvement and consultation provisions of the Forest Management Planning Manual, a written response will be provided to all written comments and submission and upon request, to all verbal comments received that relate to the Long-Term Management Direction or Proposed Operations. All comments and submissions will become part of the public record. Stage Five is an inspection period only. No comments are being sought at that stage.

There is an opportunity during the forest management planning process to seek resolution of issues in accordance with the process described in Part A, Section 2.4.1 of the Forest Management Planning Manual (2017).

During the 30-day inspection period, tentatively scheduled January 2020 through February 2020, you may make a written request to the Director of Environmental Assessment and Permissions Branch, Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks, 1st Floor, 135 St. Clair Ave W, Toronto, ON M4V 1P5 for an individual environmental assessment of specific planned operations in the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry - approved forest management plan, in accordance with the process described in Part A. Section 2.4.2 of the Forest Management Planning Manual (2017).