Timmins Local Citizens Committee

 

Minutes of November 12, 2009

 

November 12, 2009

LCC hours:  42 hours

Year to Date: 231

Total: 5755.4

 

Date:   November 12, 2009

 

Location: Ontario Government Complex, Fire Boardroom                                                             

Present: Bob Bielek, Jenny Millson, Scott Tam,  Rusty Fink, Ron Johnson, Mark Joron, Dave Stringer Barry Edwards, Lino Morandin, Barry Edwards, Bill Russell

 

Regrets: Kees Pols, Allan Moyle, Kees Stryland, Gail Krawchuk, Melanie Johnson, Andre Chartrand, Gilbert Fortin, Robert Calhoun

 

Absent:  George Sackenay, Rodney Wincikaby, James Naveau

 

MNR: Glen McFarlane, Nikki Wood

 

Guests: Jim Abbott, MNR, Enforcement Supervisor

 

Call to Order:

Bill Russell called the meeting to order at 6:45 p.m.

 

Summary of Action Items for This Meeting:

 Action Item 11-09-01: Nikki is to invite someone from MNDM&F to a future meeting to present information on the forest sector royalty system and how it works.

Action Item 11-09-02: That project proposals to spend the LCC funds be discussed at the next LCC meeting scheduled for December.

Action Item 11-09-03: Glen will contact someone from the Lakeshore Mine and invite them to present their new mining facility to the Timmins LCC at a future meeting.

Action Item 11-09-04: Glen will provide information on Enhanced bear management framework to the LCC as this initiative moves forward.

Review and Approval of October 14, 2009 Minutes:

  • Motion to accept- Lino Morandin
  • Seconded by- Jenny Millson
  • Carried

Review and Approval of tonight’s agenda:

  • Motion to accept- Lino Morandin
  • Seconded by- Bob Bielek
  • Carried

Letters/Correspondence

  • No letters or correspondence

 

District Manager Update- Glen McFarlane on behalf of Randy Pickering

Glen provided the Timmins LCC members with the following update:

  • MNR will provide the LCC with an update regarding the issue of a cougar sighting at Gibson Lake and the perceived loss of cougar habitat by allowing harvesting of the forest in the vicinity of the sighting at the next LCC meeting scheduled in December; currently there is little information to share with the LCC at this point on that issue.
  • The Forestry Futures Trust Committee has initiated a one year silvicultural stimulus program for funding silviculture projects through the Trust Fund. They are seeking eligible applications from SFL Licence holders and managers of Crown units to participate. The eligible criteria for funding includes:
    • Projects must create new jobs
    • Areas to be regenerated should be where the SFL holder had no responsibility of renewal or areas previously identified for natural or basic renewal treatment
    • Projects must take place on Crown land in the area of the undertaking
    • Proponents can be SFL holders or MNR districts in the case of Crown units
    • Planting projects must take place in 2010
    • Site preparation must take place in 2009-10 fiscal season
    • The activity must be eligible under the forest management plan and supported by a silviculture ground rule.
    • The applications must be received by the Committee no later than November 27, 2009.
    • Committee will decide on projects by December 4, 2009.

A round table discussion ensued regarding the current state of the Forest Industry and royalty arrears; the question was what is the MNR and or the government doing in order to collect over due accounts with the Forest Industry sector. After some discussion, it was recommended that Nikki invite someone from MNDM&F to provide information on this topic.

Action Item 11-09-01: Nikki is to invite someone from MNDM&F to a future meeting to present information on the forest sector royalty system and how it works.

 

Timmins District Compliance Update- Jim Abbott

Jim provided the Timmins LCC with an update on compliance specific to the “unlawful sale of angler caught fish”. He provided the following information in his presentation (see attachment):

  • A sporting licence does not allow a person to buy or sell fish or parts of fish in Ontario
  • A commercial Licence is required in accordance with the regulations to allow marketing of fish
  • Fish limits in Ontario are based on a fair allocation of fish to be caught today while protecting fish populations for tomorrow
  • People who take part in unlawful sale of fish generally take advantage of fish spawning periods where they can maximize their catch during the fishes’ vulnerable period, thereby placing undue pressure on the fishery and negatively impacting fish populations
  • Unlawful sale of fish can also negatively impact public safety; some waters are polluted with chemicals such as PCB’s or natural toxins such as mercury; Licensed commercial fishermen are not allowed to fish or are able to only harvest certain species and or sizes of fish. People who partake in unlawful sale of fish may catch them in contaminated waters; after all they are not interested in eating the fish.
  • Commercial Fishing in Ontario is highly regulated with strict rules around fish handling; fish must be refrigerated during transport, preparation and storage; must be prepared in a sanitary facility; properly packaged and labelled and sold soon after they are caught. Commercial licensed fisherman are regularly inspected
  • Poor handling of fish can expose the public to rancid or decomposed flesh, viruses and parasites, bacteria such as listeria monocytogenes and toxins such as botulism; there are no safeguards in place for unlawful sold fish
  • The overall value of the fishery in Ontario is about $200.0 million. The commercial fishery makes up about $35.0 million of the total.
  • Public concerns about fish quality and safety can have a huge impact to the economy
  • The illegal sale of fish ranges from individual anglers selling a few fish for a fast buck to organized groups selling large amounts to outlets and restaurants
  • In summary, buying and selling angler caught fish is illegal in Ontario, depletes wild fish stocks, has potential health risks and is harmful to businesses throughout the province.
  • So if the seller isn’t willing to provide you with a receipt for the sale of fish, don’t buy the fish. It will help with protecting our natural resources, our health of our communities and our businesses

 

There was a brief question and answer period; see the following:

  • Q- Are there any Commercial fishing operations in Timmins District?
  • A- Yes, there are two commercial whitefish licences in Timmins
  • Q- What large are then fines handed down to over-harvest of lake trout?
  • A- There was a recent court case in Timmins District regarding an over harvest of lake trout. I can’t remember the specific fine in dollars but it was quite significant.
  • Q- How are people caught poaching?
  • A- Both the TIPS and Crime-stopper programs work quite well. The TIPS program is about three years old and is proving to be effective.

Further discussion ensued regarding the District ACOP and the opportunity to review the ACOP with the LCC. Jim indicated that the District bases their ACOP on frequency of occurrences of compliance issues. The priorities are set based on occurrence and impact. We can share this plan with the LCC at a future meeting.

 

Action Item Status-Nikki Wood

Nikki led the Timmins LCC members through a review of the List of Action Items. The following items still to be addressed include:

  • Action item 10-08-02 will be addressed this winter when Tembec provides a presentation on the 2010-11 AWS for the Romeo Malette Forest
  • Action item 06-09-04 will be addressed at a later meeting. MNR is still working with Forest Industry and snowmobile clubs in securing access issues for this winter.

Other items that were discussed included:

·         LCC needs to agree on a project proposal to use up the LCC funds amounting to approximately $1800.00

Action Item 11-09-02- That project proposals to spend the LCC funds be discussed at the next LCC meeting scheduled for December

·         We should invite Lakeshore Mine to a future LCC meeting to present their new mine.

Action Item 11-09-03- Glen will contact someone from Lakeshore Mine and invite them to present their new mining facility to the Timmins LCC at a future meeting.

·         There will be a launch of a new framework for enhanced bear management in Ontario. This initiative will begin this winter. More information will be provided shortly.

Action Item 11-09-04: Glen will provide information to the Timmins LCC as this new initiative moves forward.

 

Forest Management Planning-Cochrane Area Forest Update- Rusty Fink

Rusty updated the Timmins LCC members with the Information centres that took place in October:

·         There were 4 sessions that took place in Smooth Rock Falls, Cochrane, Iroquois Falls and Timmins

·         The largest group session was held in Smooth Rock Falls; the locals had many concerns regarding the future of forestry in their area.

·         Other than Smooth Rock Falls there was very limited public participation at the Information centres.

·         Some concern was addressed over the size of the caribou protection zone.

·         To spur discussion about forestry, maybe the forest company should meet more with cottage association to bring up awareness of forest operations and have open dialogue.

 

Round Table Discussions-All

  • More safe guards should be put in place around collection of royalties; looking forward to more discussion on that subject
  • Nikki will provide the website that the LCC members can access to view Annual Work Schedules and Annual Reports
  • The Silviculture stimulus program is good news
  • Keep an eye out for the upcoming Northern Growth Plan sessions
  • Timmins District will be asking for volunteers from the LCC to ride along in our upcoming moose survey; let Glen know if you are interested in taking part in a flight.

 

The meeting adjourned at 9:00 pm

           

Next Meeting

 

Next meeting scheduled for December 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