Stage Two: Review of Proposed Long-Term Management Direction of 2021-2031 Dryden Forest Management Plan

The Ministry and Dryden Forest Management Co Ltd. 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. The first opportunity (Stage One) occurred on September 15, 2018 when the public was invited to participate in the development of the plan.

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-kilometer wide corridors for each new primary road which is required for the next 20 years
• 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 listed below. 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:

• 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 Ministry office identified below by appointment during normal office hours for a period of 30 days: October 23, 2019 – November 22, 2019.

Comments on the proposed Long-term Management Direction for the Dryden Forest must be received by DJ Armit at (807) 223-7526 by November 22, 2019.

During the planning process there is an opportunity to make a written request to seek resolution of issues with the Ministry 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 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 is 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 its centre. Other communities encompassed within the Forest boundaries include Vermillion Bay, Eagle River, Waldolf, Oxdrift, Wabigoon, Dinorwic and Dyment.

The main tree species that the forest supports are jack pine, white and 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 Thunder Bay pulp and paper mill, as well as Weyerhaeuser’s Kenora TrusJoist mill, McKenzie Lumber Inc. sawmill and Kenora Forest Products sawmill.

Over the last 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

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: January 2020

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

Stage Five - Inspection of MNRF-Approved Forest Management Plan: November 2020

The approval date of the Forest Management Plan is tentatively scheduled for 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 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 Alisha McKinnon, MNRF Dryden District, at (807) 223-7521.