This notice is for informational purposes only. There is no requirement to consult on this initiative on the Environmental Registry of Ontario. Learn more about the types of notices on the registry.
Why consultation isn't required
The Environmental Bill of Rights, 1993 does not require this notice to be placed on the Environmental Registry of Ontario.
We are voluntarily posting this notice for information purposes to advise interested parties of the formal public consultation opportunities for this proposal in accordance with the requirements of the Forest Management Planning Manual.
To participate in that consultation process, the public is invited to submit comments to the contact person identified in this notice.
Bulletin details
Our Ministry along with GreenForest Management Inc., and the Geraldton Area Natural Resources Advisory Committee invite you to review and comment on the 2020-2030 Draft Forest Management Plan for the Ogoki Forest.
The planning process
The plan takes approximately three years to complete. During this time, five formal opportunities for public, First Nation and Métis involvement are provided:
- Stage One - Invitation to Participate: October 4, 2017
- Stage Two - Review of Long-Term Management Direction: July 17, 2019
- Stage Three – Information Centre: Review of Proposed Operations: November 5, 2019
This ‘Stage Four’ notice is to:
- Invite you to review and comment on the draft Forest Management Plan (FMP)
- request contributions to the background information to be used for 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 and can be made available by contacting GreenForest Management Inc., contact listed below, during normal office hours for a period of 60 days (November 4, 2020 to January 4, 2021). Comments on the draft FMP for the Ogoki Forest must be received by Robin Kuzyk, R.P.F., of the planning team, by January 4, 2021.
In addition to the most current versions of the information and maps which were previously available, the following information will also be available:
- draft Forest Management Plan, including supplementary documentation
- draft Forest Management Plan summary
- Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry’s preliminary list of required alterations
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).
The last possible date to seek issue resolution with the Regional Director is February 3, 2021.
About the forest
The Ogoki Forest is approximately 10,900 square km in size and is located between 50º30' – 51º30 latitude and 86º30' – 89º15’ longitude in Northwestern Ontario, approximately 400 km northeast of Thunder Bay. It incorporates approximately 9,798 square km 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 (MNRF) 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 MNRF’s Nipigon District. The Ogoki Forest is currently a Crown Management Unit managed by the Nipigon District MNRF and through a Forestry Agreement with the licensee, Agoke Development Limited Partnership.
Stay involved
A final opportunity to inspect the approved FMP before it is implemented will take place during the inspection of the Ministry-approved Forest Management Plan (Stage Five) which is tentatively scheduled for February 27, 2021.
Further information on how to get involved in forest management planning and to better understand the stages of public consultation please visit the following link.
We are collecting your personal information and comments under the authority provided by the Forest Management Planning Manual, 2020 approved by regulation under Section 68 of the Crown Forest Sustainability Act, 1994. Any personal information you provide (home and/or email address, name, telephone number, etc.) will be protected in accordance with the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, however may be used and shared between MNRF and/or the forest licensee to contact you regarding comments submitted. Your comments will become part of the public consultation process and may be shared with the general public. Your personal information may also be used by the MNRF 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 Marie Parsons at 807-887-5012.
Renseignements en français : Justin Valiquette au 807 854-1831.
An alternative to the government contact for this notice is:
Plan Author
Richard Shwedack, R.P.F.
GreenForest Management Inc.
1120 Premier Way
Thunder Bay ON, P7B 0A3
(807) 343-6581
richard@gfmiontario.ca
Supporting materials
View materials in person
Some supporting materials may not be available online. If this is the case, you can request to view the materials in person.
Get in touch with the office listed below to find out if materials are available.
5 Wadsworth Dr., P.O. Box 970
Nipigon,
ON
P0T 2J0
Canada
Connect with us
Contact
Neil Graham
435 South James Street, Suite 221a
Thunder Bay,
ON
P7E 6S7
Canada