Timmins Local Citizens Committee
Minutes of September 28, 2011
September 28, 2011
LCC hours: 42 hours
Year to Date: 170
Total: 6243.4
Date: September 28, 2011
Location: Ontario Government Complex, Fire Boardroom
Present: Kees Stryland, Bill Russell, Robert Calhoun, Kees Pols, Lino Morandin, Rusty Fink, Ron Johnson, Marc Lapalme, Bob Bielek, Marcel Cook,
Regrets: James Naveau, Gail Krawchuk, Jenny Millson, Andy Chartrand, Allan Moyle, Stefanie Thibeault, Scott Tam, Barry Edwards Mark Joron, Pam Reid, Dave Stringer, Glen McFarlane
Absent:
MNR:, Randy Pickering, Kyle Aird, Nikki Wood
Guests: Bree Andrews, Planning Forester, First Resources Management Group
Call to Order:
Bill Russell called the meeting to order at 6:45 p.m.
Summary of Action Items for This Meeting:
Action Item 09-11-01: All members of the LCC must sign a Crown Liability Release form and a Volunteer Agreement to remain on the committee.
Action Item 09-11-02: The results of the Timmins District 2011 IFA Review Survey- discussion to be submitted.
Action Item 09-11-03: Kyle Aird to set up a meeting ASAP with: SFL manager (FRMG), Pat Dubeau from Gogama, Dave Bottom from Sudbury and Marc.
Review and Approval of June 14, 2011 Minutes:
Motion to accept- Robert Calhoun
Seconded by- Marc Lapalme
All in favour-Carried
Review and Approval of tonight’s agenda:
Marc Lapalme requested some time on the agenda to present an update on the OFSC
Motion to accept- Rusty Fink
Seconded by- Kees Pols
All in favour-Carried
Letters/Correspondence
Regional LCC meeting had an excellent turn out. Good training provided on Conflict Resolution. Lots of discussion around the Abitibi River Forest as a model of 3 LCC’s roles and responsibilities.
LCC Housekeeping- Nikki Wood
Updated LCC terms of reference was provided to members and attached
Crown Liability Release forms and a Volunteer Agreements were distributed to members for signatures.
Action Item 09-11-01: All members of the LCC must sign a Crown Liability Release form and a Volunteer Agreement to remain on the committee.
2011 IFA Review Survey- discussion on level of input being sought. Response to the survey was:
The Timmins District LCC’s sentiments were similar to Sault Ste Marie’s LCC. They reviewed the survey individually and then together at the monthly meeting. Their main points of discussion were;
For the compliance of forest management planning activities, the LCC felt that they do not have first hand knowledge and are not really involved in that aspect.
They felt they would really need a copy of the IFAPP to comment on it
They are definitely interested in giving comments but feel they do not have the knowledge or the survey is not at the LCC level of commitment/understanding.
Action Item 09-11-02: The results of the Timmins District 2011 IFA Review Survey- discussion to be submitted.
District Manager Update- Randy Pickering
Randy provided the LCC members with a District update as follows:
District staff are still busy with fish and bathymetric surveys
District staffing update- Mary Lyons has accepted a permanent position with MNDMF- when she leaves, there will not be a lands specialist in the District. The question was asked how the District will manage. Randy responded that they will ask for regional; assistance (currently Pat MacDonald is acting in the position) and other districts for help.
There is another sturgeon study currently ongoing in the district.
Timmins District Access Management – Randy Pickering
Randy provided 5 handouts (attached) and discussed the access management power point (attached) with respect to Timmins District. Discussions from the presentation were;
What is the most recent new road restriction in the District? The G1807 which restricts currently active forest operations around a self sustaining lake trout area.
So there are no new restrictions i.e. can I drive the same roads/areas I drove 15 years ago? Currently there is a continuous net gain in roads. But some roads do have a life eg. Bridge or crossing removal and this is detailed in the FMP road use strategy. Geographically the access restrictions are mainly in the south west portion of Timmins District.
Marc Lapalme- discussion on the snowmobile club
Currently the Shiningtree snowmobile club shares a major access route with EACOM. At km 98 on the Grassy Road, they tend to grade to the gravel. The 3 local snowmobile clubs (Timiskaming Abitibi, Shiningtree and Sudbury) want to find another route. They are requesting a meeting before the season starts and if a bridge is required to find the access through to Capreol, funding can be found.
Kyle Aird agrees that there is a conflict with OFS website and the FMP road use strategy.
Action Item 09-11-03: Kyle Aird to set up a meeting ASAP with: SFL manager (FRMG), Pat Dubeau from Gogama, Dave Bottom from Sudbury and Marc.
Abitibi River Forest Contingency Plan Proposal- Bree Andrews
Bree provided the LCC with the Contingency Plan Proposal. She discussed the planning direction that currently the planning team is working on a one year contingency plan to help insure that operations can continue April 1, 2013 and also working on the full 10 year plan. The planning team is waiting for the Regional Director to endorse the LTMD and then we can submit the contingency plan proposal for MNR approval and forward to MOE for approval.
Q- Where will the information centres be?
A- Timmins, Cochrane, Iroquois Falls and Smooth Rock Falls.
Q- Why is Tembec Timmins listed as mill requiring wood from the ARF?
A- It is included at this time until the wood allocation has been amended from the License.
The Chairman thanked Bree for her presentation and discussion on the Contingency Plan.
Round Table Discussions
Good, appreciate the District update
Tembec is inviting any LCC members to a helicopter FTG ½ day survey flight
Good meeting, can’t wait for snowmobile season to start
Every time I come here I learn something new
Enjoyed Randy’s presentation
Excellent dinner
Ontario community Environment Fund is requesting proposals for the Whitefish Watershed. There is approximately $61,000 available, more information is available on the MOE website.
The meeting adjourned at 9:00 pm
Next Meeting is scheduled for October 26, 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