Timmins Local Citizens Committee

 

Minutes of June 10, 2009

 

June 10, 2009

LCC hours:  42 hours

Year to Date: 105

Total: 5674.4

 

Date:  June 10, 2009

 

Location: Ontario Government Complex, Fire Boardroom                                                                 

Present: Bill Russell, Gail Krawchuk, Bob Bielek, Stefanie Thibeault, Rusty Fink, Ron Johnson, Dave Stringer, Lino Morandin, Barry Edwards, Mark Joron, Robert Calhoun, Andy Chartrand

 

Regrets: Kees Pols, Melanie Johnson, Allan Moyle, James McCarthy, Kees Stryland, Scott Tam, Jenny Millson, James Naveau, Rodney Wincikaby

 

Absent:  George Sackenay

 

MNR: Glen McFarlane, Nikki Wood

 

Call to Order:

Bill Russell called the meeting to order at 6:55 p.m.

 

Summary of Action Items for This Meeting:

Action Item 06-09-01: Bill Russell will look into legal aspects of having names and affiliations embedded in the Terms of Reference.

Action Item 06-09-02: Nikki will make changes to the Terms of Reference as described with new wording and will provide to the LCC Chair-man and the Timmins District Manager for signatures.

Action Item 06-09-03: Nikki/Glen will review the amendment process and provide direction to the Timmins LCC in advance of the next amendment proposal.

Action Item 06-09-04: Glen will discuss trail and highway concerns with concerned parties and provide an update at the next LCC meeting

 

Review and Approval of May 13, 2009 Minutes:

  • Motion to accept- Bob Bielek
  • Seconded by- Dave Stringer
  • Carried

Review and Approval of tonight’s agenda:

  • Motion to accept- Robert Calhoun
  • Seconded by- Lino Morandin
  • Carried

Letters/Correspondence

  • A letter was received from Regional Director, Eric Doidge, approving the RMF Plan 2009-2019 and 30 day public inspection period.

 

District Manager Update- Glen for Jim Duncan

  • The District has been approved to fill contracts for Area Biologist in Timmins and an Area Technician in Gogama
  • A public citizen had reported finding an unknown substance in a container along the shore-line of Fortune Lake. MNR in conjunction with this person worked together to remove and dispose of the material.
  • Currently working on the AWS review and approval for the Romeo Malette Forest so forest operations can start as early as possible in July.

 

Terms of Reference-Nikki Wood

Nikki led the review of the Terms of Reference with the members. The following represents the points of discussion:

  • As part of the Nighthawk Forest Independent Forest Audit Action Plan, there was a recommendation for the Timmins LCC to review and update the Terms of Reference
  • The Terms of Reference needs to be updated to reflect current members and their affiliations.
  • The Terms of Reference needs to better describe the geographic area of Timmins District that is within its mandate.
  • There should be a description of Timmins LCC mandate as it relates to the Cochrane Area Forest.
  • Should include sharing of Timmins and Cochrane meeting minutes to both LCCs, possible add Cochrane LCC minutes with Timmins LCC Website, ensure that a Timmins LCC representative participates on the Cochrane Forest Planning Team (currently Kees Stryland is a participating representative)
  • Timmins LCC will review all amendments and revisions pertaining to the Timmins District land-base of the Cochrane Area Forest

There was a general discussion about whether we should have the names of the Timmins LCC representatives and their affiliations within the Terms of Reference document. There is concern that maybe the names shouldn’t be shared; concern stems from freedom of information. There was also a discussion about whether there should be a Timmins representative sit on the Cochrane LCC. It was agreed that sharing of minutes, reviewing amendments and revisions and having representation at the Planning Team table should suffice.

Action Item 06-09-01: Bill Russell will look into legal aspects of having names and affiliations embedded in the Terms of Reference.

Action Item 06-09-02: Nikki will make changes to the Terms of Reference as described with new wording and will provide to the LCC Chair-man and the Timmins District Manager for signatures.

 

 

 

 

 

Cochrane Area Forest Update-Nikki Wood

Nikki provided the members with an update on the progression of the Cochrane Area Forest FMP. The following represents the points of her discussion:

  • Kees Stryland is the Timmins LCC representative that sits on the CAF Planning Team
  • The Planning Team are proposing the FMP to be moved to a 1 or 2 year Contingency Plan as they are concerned that the Plan may be bumped up thereby delaying forest operations.
  • The concern is based mainly upon the caribou strategy.
  • A letter recommending a move to a contingency plan will be sent to the MNR Region and if there is agreement, subsequently sent to the MOE for review and approval.
  • Public Information centres are scheduled to take place from June 22 through June 25th.
  • The Public Information centre will be held at the Ontario Government Complex on June 25th. The public will be provided the proposed operations for the Cochrane Area Forest.

 

Romeo Malette Forest FMP Update-Bob Bielek

Bob provided the members with an update on the RMF FMP. He addressed the following points:

  • The Plan has been approved by the Regional Director and the public inspection period ends on June 15th.
  • An issue with Kenogamisis lake Cottage Association still to be discussed, although forest operations are not scheduled in that area until the second 5 years.
  • The AWS has been submitted to MNR and the review and approval work is ongoing

Bob congratulated all the Planning Team members for their hard work and their willingness to work through their differences to produce a plan.

 

Nighthawk Forest Amendments, Utilization and Roads- Nikki Wood

Nikki provided the members with two amendments regarding changes to access roads and an amendment regarding utilization. The following provides a summary of the discussions:

            Matachewan Road Re-Alignment- Abitibi-Bowater has proposed a road re-alignment to a section of road on Pine Street south-Matachewan road. A 4.5 km section of road has been proposed to be re-aligned this summer/fall to increase haul truck safety. The re-alignment will provide for road straightening.

The amendment has been proposed as an administrative. Due to “conflict of interest”, Dave Stringer did not partake in the round table discussion that proceeded. The Timmins LCC accepts the proposal to re-align the subject portion of road as described.

·         Motion to accept- Mark Joron

·         Seconded by- Lino Morandin

·         Carried

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thomas Road Designation- Abitibi-Bowater has proposed the upgrading of the existing Thomas Road from a branch road to a primary road as described in the Forest Management Planning Manual. The amendment has been proposed as “administrative”. There was some discussion regarding the proximity of this road to Nighthawk Lake and possible concerns that the cottagers in that area may have towards the change in the access strategy. MNR will make contact with affected stakeholders in the area to ensure that no major problems are encountered. The Timmins LCC accepts the proposed changes to the Thomas Road.

·         Motion to accept- Robert Calhoun

·         Seconded by Mark Joron

·         Carried

 

Utilization Amendment-Nikki provided the members with a utilization concern as it pertains to marketability issues the forest industry has faced recently. Due to tough times and unpredictable markets it has been very challenging for forest operations to be carried out ensuring all species have been utilized according to the Scaling Manual and Forest Management Plan. This past winter there were changes to forest operations on the Nighthawk Forest that should have been discussed and accepted by the MNR District Manager before forest operations commenced. The argument was that the Company felt that the wording in the Nighthawk FMP allowed them the flexibility to make changes in their operations without the consent of the District manager. The District is proposing changes to the FMP to provide clearer wording as it pertains to wood utilization. The District needs to be brought in on marketability issues as soon as possible to ensure that all options and alternatives are discussed and mutually agreed upon with the Forest Licensee before forest operations commence. After some discussion the Timmins LCC has provided a motion that they have received this information from the MNR.

·         Motion to accept- Andy Chartrand

·         Seconded by- Barry Edwards

·         Carried

 

Round Table Issues/Discussion- All

  • Nice to see new people around the table
  • If you have a chance this summer, Bob invites people to walk Nikki’s Nature trail situated at Star Lake. Sign boards depicting 100 years of history.
  • Great meal tonight, a big thank you to the cooks
  • Good discussion around the table tonight
  • If people are interested in going on a Free to Grow flight, contact Lino Morandin
  • Concern that we should have better process introduced to the LCC for processing amendment proposals
  • A mining exploration company has damaged some trails south of Tatachikapika River near Hwy 144#. MNR should look into this
  • MTO are shutting off access to a number of side roads. Would like MNR to look into this concern.

 

Action Item 06-09-03: Nikki/Glen will review the amendment process and provide direction to the Timmins LCC in advance of the next amendment proposal.

Action Item 06-09-04: Glen will discuss trail and highway concerns with concerned parties and provide an update at the next LCC meeting

 

The meeting adjourned at 9:00 pm

           

Next Meeting

 

Next meeting scheduled for Sept 9, 2009 at the Fire Boardroom of the Ontario Government Complex. Please contact Gail Krawchuk at gga@ntl.sympatico.ca if you cannot attend.

 

 

Minutes taken by:                                                    Minutes approved by:

 

 

 

……………………                                                    …………………………

Gail Krawchuk                                                          Bill Russell

LCC Secretary                                                          Chair