Timmins Local Citizens Committee
Minutes of May 25, 2011
May 25, 2011
LCC hours: 56 hours
Year to Date: 92
Total: 6165.4
Date: May 25, 2011
Location: Field Tour
Present: Robert Calhoun, Bill Russell, Barry Edwards, Lino Morandin, Kees Stryland, Kees Pols, Marc Lapalme, Bob Bielek, Marcel Cook, James Naveau, Rusty Fink, Ron Johnson
Regrets: Gail Krawchuk, Mark Joron, Jenny Millson, Dave Stringer, Andy Chartrand, Allan Moyle, Gilbert Fortin, Stefanie Thibeault, Scott Tam
Absent: George Sackenay, Rodney Wincikaby
MNR: Glen McFarlane, Nikki Wood
Guests: no guests
Call to Order: Tour started at 5pm from OGC
Summary of Action Items for This Meeting:
No action items to record
LCC Field Tour-LCC members
The object of the field trip was to provide the LCC members with examples of forest operational objectives that were implemented by the forest industry to reflect the benefits to natural resource users. A lot of our LCC time is spent dealing with forest management plan production. We have a LCC member that represents the LCC at the planning table. The greatest opportunity our LCC has during the FMP is in engagement of Desired Forest Benefit exercises during plan production. A list of field stops will provide examples of some of the objectives that were established in forest management plans and implemented in the field.
Summary of Field Trip Stops
Private Land Forestry Block Sheraton Twp
This area was harvested in the summer of 2008
Subtle differences between private forestry and Crown land forestry include the absence of snag trees and residual stems to mimic natural fire. The area has been left to regenerate naturally.
A hawk was observed hunting the cut over during this stop
White fish River Bridge Carman Road
The original bridge was removed in 2006 following public consultation. The SFL Company at the time did not have any future plans to keep this bridge for access through the Carman Road
The public consultation response to the bridge removal was to keep boat launches on both the east and west banks of the river so that they could launch boats to access Nighthawk Lake and cabins along the Whitefish River.
The new SFL Company revised plans for their long term access routes on the Abitibi River Forest and recognized the need for the re-installation of the Whitefish River Bridge and secure long term access and benefit the three Eacom mills- Timmins, Elk Lake and Ostrom facilities. Improved access will enhance performance of the three mills.
The new bridge was installed in the summer of 2010. There was special attention regarding the preservation of the public boat launch access to the river. This is an example of providing benefits to all forest users through the understanding of each others needs.
Gibson Lake 2005 Fire
This fire had started on July 19, 2005.
The fire expanded quickly and consumed 3400 ha. of forested area.
The area had burned previously in 1997
Fire Crews managed to save a trap cabin situated on Doherty Lake through the use of sprinkler systems
Soon after the fire, a salvage cut was initiated with an attempt to utilize the burnt wood
820 gross has. were deemed salvageable; 675 net ha. of burned area was harvested once reserves were applied.
6 years post burn, most of the area has been regenerated by artificial tree plants, aerial seeding and some areas have been left to regenerate naturally
Today’s forest management planning harvest prescription objectives are to emulate natural fire disturbances.
Clear cuts will be tailored to allow for green patches to be left, scattered standing live and dead trees to be retained, shoreline reserves will have portions harvested depending on slopes and site specific conditions.
There was a good general discussion regarding this stop. There was mixed reaction in regards to cut to shore prescriptions. Opinions varied between making good economic sense to capture maximum merchantable volumes of wood if you can minimise any negative impacts to doubting opinions as to whether man can emulate nature with the use of equipment without causing environmental damage.
Round Table Discussions
Good information tour
Interesting discussion
Good fun had by all that participated
Many thanks to Nikki for organising the field tour and providing pertinent information at each of the field stops
The tour returned to the OGC at 9:00 pm
Because of the potential conflict with game 7 Stanley Cup playoffs the next meeting is scheduled for June 14, 2011 at the Fire Boardroom of the OGC.
Please contact Gail Krawchuk at gga@ntl.sympatico.ca if you cannot attend.
Minutes typed by: Minutes approved by:
………………………………………………
Gail Krawchuk Bill Russell
LCC Secretary Chair