Aboriginal Governance
Forest Management Planning Process
What is the Forest Management Planning process?
As an aspect of the settlement agreement, the parties have agreed that the Temagami Aboriginal community will have the opportunity to harvest timber on the settlement lands prior to the land becoming an Indian Reserve. During the interim period, the normal process for harvesting timber on Crown land will be followed.
Forest management planning is an established Ministry of Natural Resources process governed by the Crown Forest Sustainability Act, which must be followed prior to harvesting timber on Crown land.
Who will be involved with the Forest Management Planning process?
The Temagami First Nation will be taking the lead in the Forest Management Process following all the usual requirements for plan preparation and public consultation.
As per the Crown Forest Sustainability Act, the Forest Management Plan must be prepared by a registered professional forester with the assistance of a planning team and a local citizens committee.
The planning team normally includes staff with expertise in forest management, fish and wildlife biology, forest ecology, lands administration, park management, fire management and enforcement.
A local citizens committee representing a range and balance of interests, such as municipalities, local business, anglers and hunters, recreational groups etc., will be involved in the Forest Management Planning process. Members will be appointed by the Ministry of Natural Resources district manager, drawing from nominations provided by the Temagami Aboriginal community.
The local citizens committee may also have a representative on the planning team, and other committee members may attend planning team meetings as observers.
How long will the Forest Management Planning process take?
It normally takes between two to three years to complete the preparation, review and approval of a forest management plan. In this case, if the Temagami Aboriginal community wishes to harvest timber on the settlement lands, the Forest Management Planning process will likely begin in the second year after the signing of the settlement agreement.
What involvement will the public have?
The Ministry of Natural Resources' Forest Management Planning process provides opportunities for ongoing participation in the preparation of the plan by interested and affected persons and organizations and by the general public through public consultation.
The process has five stages, with specific requirements for public notice to specified persons and organizations, as well as the general public, the timing and contents of those notices, and availability of specific information and maps at each stage.
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