Stage Two: Review of Long-term Management Direction of the 2020-2030 Forest Management Plan for the Ogoki Forest

The first opportunity (Stage One) for this FMP occurred on October 4, 2017 when the public was invited to "Participate" in the development of the plan.

Stage Two - Review of Long-Term Management Direction: July 17 to August 16, 2019

This Stage Two notice is 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-kilometre-wide corridors for each new primary road which is required for the next 20 years.

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 - 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 unit, 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 Ogoki Forest is approximately 10,900 square kilometres in size and is located in Northwestern Ontario, approximately 400 km north-east of Thunder Bay. It incorporates approximately 9,798 square kilometres of forested area, the majority of which is Crown Land subject to forest management planning and forest management operations. The current boundaries of the Ogoki Forest were formally established in 2004.

The Ogoki Forest is bordered to the north and east by the northern boundary of the Area of the Undertaking, as identified in the Class Environmental Assessment by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry for Timber Management on Crown Lands in Ontario. The west portion of the forest is bordered by Wabakimi Provincial Park, the south-west portion of the forest by the Lake Nipigon Forest and the southern portion of the forest is bordered by the Kenogami Forest. The Ogoki Forest is located north of the Municipality of Greenstone. Greenstone encompasses the towns of Nakina, Geraldton, Longlac, Jellicoe, Caramat, Orient Bay, and Beardmore.

The management unit is located within the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry's Nipigon District - Northwest Region. Ministry offices are located in Nipigon and Geraldton. The Ogoki Forest is currently a Crown Management Unit managed by the Nipigon District and through a Forestry Agreement with the licensee, Agoke Development Limited Partnership.

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 our Nipigon 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 the government contact person listed in this notice.

An alternate to the government contact for this notice is:

Richard Shwedack, RPF

Plan Author and General Manager

GreenForest Management Inc.

1120 Premier Way

Thunder Bay ON, P7B OA3

Phone: (807) 343-6581

Fax: (807) 343-6424

Email: richard@gfmiontario.ca

Other Public Consultation Opportunities:

In accordance with the provisions of the Forest Management Planning Manual, formal public consultation and First Nation and Metis 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 Metis community involvement and consultation:

• Stage One - Invitation to Participate: October 4, 2017

• Stage Two - Review of Long-Term Management Direction: July 17 to August 16, 2019

There are three other formal public consultation, and First Nation and Metis community involvement and consultation opportunities tentatively scheduled as follows:

• Stage Three - Information Centre: Review of Proposed Operations: November 2019

• Stage Four - Information Centre: Review of Draft Forest Management Plan: June 2020

• Stage Five - Inspection of Ministry-Approved Forest Management Plan October 2020

An approved forest management plan is scheduled for implementation commencing November 24, 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 Metis 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 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, commencing October 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 - approved forest management plan, in accordance with the process described in Part A Section 2.4.2 of the Forest Management Planning Manual (2017).