Timmins Local Citizens Committee

Minutes of the October 13, 2004 Meeting

Oct.13 hours: 12
Year to date: 285.6
Total: 3962.40

Date: October 13, 2004

Location: Ontario Government Complex

Present: Robert Calhoun, Gary Scripnick, Bill Russell, Craig Parsons, Real Gendron, Corrie King

Regrets: Melanie Johnson, Michael Malek, Greg Corrigal, Mark Joron, Andrea
Griener, Michael Fallat, Allan Moyle, Dino Pellarin.

MNR: Terry Pawson, Mac Kilgour

7:00 p.m. Meeting called to order by chairman, Bill Russell

CORRESPONDENCE and CHAIRMAN’S COMMENTS:

· Letter from MNR advising of FMP amendment and revision #8 to the Annual Work Schedule for the Romeo Mallette Forest (2004/2005) to protect an Osprey nest in Sewell Township, near Block 81.
· Letter from MNR advising of two small revisions to the Annual Work Schedule for the Romeo Mallette Forest (2004/2005) for changes to the planned route of tertiary roads near cut blocks 12 and 28.
· Email from Northwatch regarding a workshop on Computer Models in Forest Management Planning to take plate November 26th in North Bay.
· Email from Kristie Nickerson regarding a national study of Citizen’s committees. She requested a copy of our terms of reference which Bill Russell has forwarded.
· Bank Statement

Bill mentioned an upcoming open house regarding Mattagami / Abitibi Water Management Plan. Dates will be announced.

ROMEO MALLETTE FOREST / FMP UPDATE - Mac Kilgour

At the beginning of the five year Forest Management Plan on the Romeo Mallette Forest, an allowable harvest calculation was done. Grant Forest Products estimated more poplar could be cut so the calculations were re-run and the end result shows that more poplar can be harvested.

Other discussion regarding FMP’s included:

Contingency Areas are areas identified and built into the plan for when circumstances arise where pre-approved areas can’t be cut due to unforeseen circumstances such as fire.

A Contingency Plan is a forest management plan after the expiration of the 5-year FMP.

Forest Management Plans also factor in the mortality of trees due to fire, pests etc. Wood lost to insect damage could be salvaged instead of going to a contingency plan and area.

FMP UPDATE - Craig Parsons

Tembec began a new inventory but, due to poor weather, it was only 50% completed. They had wanted this inventory to begin their new 5 year FMP.

They are looking at a 1 year Contingency Plan which the planning team would work on in conjunction with the 5 year FMP. The Contingency Plan will be based on the current inventory and the new 5 year FMP will be based on the new inventory.

There is a minimum of one open house for a Contingency Plan. An information session has been mapped out for November 2006. Operations would begin on April 2007 to March 31, 2008.

This is only a proposal. There has been no formal submission yet.

PILE BURN PLAN

The purpose of pile burning is to create a plantable area for trees. The pile burn plan is for approximately 200 piles along 65 kilometers of road. The piles are west of Hwy 144 to Crothers Twp. Piles close to the highway will not be burned and, to protect mine intakes, burning will only be allowed during certain wind directions. The burn will begin around November 1, 2004 and has been contracted out.

Some piles will be left behind for habitat. There will be no burning on Pine south.

These are low complexity plans and are, therefore, approved quickly by MNR and brought to the LCC’s. A post-burn report will be provided to the MNR by the contractor and is audited by the company.

FORUM POST MORTEM

Although many media had been informed of the Forum, only Channel 3 News attended. This shows that the LCC needs to generate their own coverage.

Real and Terry had hoped for more responses to the comment cards.

There were approximately 68 in attendance. This included field people, presenters, and support workers.

Comments included:

· Nice to have all in one facility
· Millson Forestry Tour very informative and very good
· Awsome field trip, well organized, educational; highlight of session
· Good diversity of speakers and all were experts in their fields
· MC kept things on track & on time; good introductions and biographies of speakers
· Shania Twain tour great
· Crime scene excellent

A binder containing the minutes of the Forum as well as photos will be forwarded to the other LCC’s.

ADJOURNMENT:

Craig moved that the meeting be adjourned. Seconded by Bob Calhoun.

The next meeting will be held on November 10, 2004 at the Gallery Meeting Room at the Timmins Underground Goldmine Tour. (behind the Shania Twain Centre)