Timmins Local Citizens Committee
Minutes of April 25, 2012
April 25, 2012
LCC hours: 45 hours
Year to Date: 317
Total: 6390.4
Date: April 25, 2012
Location: Ontario Government Complex, Fire Boardroom
Present: Bill Russell, Robert Calhoun, Barry Edwards, Kees Pols, Kees Stryland, Lino Morandin, Rusty Fink, Marcel Lapalme, Marc Lapalme, Marcel Cook, Stefanie Thibeault, Scott Tam
Regrets: James Naveau, Gail Krawchuk, Pamela Reid, Jenny Millson, Allan Moyle, Bob Bielek, Andy Chartrand, Dave Stringer, Mark Joron, Ron Johnson
Absent:
MNR:Glen McFarlane, Mac Kilgour
Guests: Paul Fantin, Management Forester, FRMG
Call to Order:
Bill Russell called the meeting to order at 6:45 p.m.
Summary of Action Items for This Meeting:
Action Item 04-12-01: A presentation on the SLIN netting results for Dana and Fortune lakes be provided to the Timmins LCC as an agenda topic.
Action Item 04-12-02: Glen and Lino will organize a field trip for the Timmins LCC in place of the May 30, 2012 meeting
Review and Approval of March 28, 2012 Minutes:
Motion to accept- Robert Calhoun
Seconded by- Barry Edwards
All in favour-Carried
Review and Approval of tonight’s agenda:
Motion to accept- Marc Lapalme
Seconded by- Kees Stryland
All in favour-Carried
Letters/Correspondence
There were no letters received this month
As noted in previous LCC minutes a British Columbia mining company was interested in the way that the Timmins LCC conducted their business; they have just recently indicated to the Timmins LCC Chair man that they have adopted the Timmins LCC Terms of Reference for their committee.
District Manager Update- Glen McFarlane for Randy Pickering
Glen provided the Committee members with a district update as follows:
MNR sponsored a booth at the annual Sportsman show at the McIntyre arena; there was a good attendance and all went well.
MNR will sponsor a booth at the annual mining expo being held at the McIntyre arena in May; again this year, the white nose syndrome affecting bats will be the focus.
Gold Corp has recently submitted application to MNR for a tailings expansion for Tailings number #6. They require approval under the LRIA for this project.
Lakeshore Gold Inc has applied to do work at their mine site north of Porcupine to expand a tailings facility and construct a new polishing pond; this work is required to accommodate their mill expansion and accommodate ore received from Timmins west mine.
MNR has conducted spring littoral index netting on Fortune and Dana Lakes. The purpose of the survey was to find if there was any natural lake trout spawning taking place in either of these lakes. Both lakes have been stocked over the years with fin clipped fish. The survey would show natural production if small non clipped fish were caught. Natural producing stocks would make changes in the way MNR manages these lakes from a land use and stocking perspective. The results of Lake trout SLIN survey could be brought to the LCC as a future agenda topic.
MNR annual fish stocking of area lakes will take place over the next two weeks. A stocking list will be updated and made available to the public.
MNR in conjunction with partners will carry on with the sturgeon strategy this year. Most of the work will be ongoing monitoring of the sturgeon which has been furnished with radio transmitters. Bathymetric work of the river below Sandy Falls is also slated for this summer.
Action Item 04-12-01: A presentation on the SLIN netting results for Dana and Fortune lakes be provided to the Timmins LCC as an agenda topic.
FRMG View Scape Analysis Demonstration- Paul Fantin
Paul lead the Timmins LCC through a view scape analysis project that was completed on the Lady Evelyn Lake system in early 2000’s in an effort to balance forest management practices with the preservation of local aesthetics of Lady Evelyn lake system; the following points represent Paul’s experiences on this project:
The area in the vicinity of Lady Evelyn Lake represented approximately 3-5,000 ha. of potential harvest allocation in their Forest Management Plan.
Lady Evelyn commercial operators and approximately 100 private cottage owners were approached to discuss potential harvesting in the area
The response from the affected users was negative.
Over a series of meetings and discussions, the forest company was able to convince the users of the area to look at viable options in which everyone would maintain their stake in the area.
To move forward the commercial operators represented by a Forester, who also adopted the cottagers and NGO’s concerns, worked with the forest industry through a number of options.
Conceptually, the forest industry discussed the use of treed reserves and cautious location of access roads would be able to work in everyone’s favour.
Two options for access were provided. Option 1 included an access road that would begin at the Elk Lake Mill yard and access the harvest block. The second options included access from the Red Squirrel Road and construct a 300 foot bridge to span the Montreal River.
The second option was chosen with the premise that the bridge would be removed after forest management activities were complete.
A GIS viewscape analysis was completed for the area. The purpose of the computer model was to indicate the areas that would be left for reserve. The intent of the treed reserves was to provide a screen to a person’s view of any cutovers when viewed from the lake. The point of measure was from 2 meters above lake level from any vantage point on the lakes surface (equivalent to a person standing in a boat).
The model was demonstrated to the local users as was shown to the Timmins LCC; in essence, the area was shown from 2 meters distance above the lake and then shown from a distance of 1000 feet above the lake in a clockwise pattern around the allocated harvest area.
Everyone was satisfied with the way in which the company would proceed with the harvest, access and regeneration prescriptions.
The area was subsequently harvested throughout early portion of 2000-2007 and the company has now looked into removing the bridge.
Following Paul’s presentations there were a number of questions and answers as follows:
Q-How much merchantable timber was lost to the treed reserves
A-Approximately 12-15% of merchantable timber was left for screening the cutover.
Q-How did the affected people take the prescription
A-Most people were satisfied with the out come
Q-Will the access road be left to degenerate on their own
A-Yes; the bridge will be removed and the access road will be left to natural degenerate.
The Chair man thanked Paul for his presentation.
FMP Training Module 4- Mac Kilgour
Mac lead the Timmins LCC with a module on FMP operational planning as follows:
Planning teams work on review and planning of operations for 5 year segments
Typically areas for the first 5 years include a harvest layout, regeneration prescriptions, access and water crossings
Need to consider the use of planning guides such as stand and site guide, wildlife habitat protection etc.
Contingency areas are planned in the event of unforeseen circumstances such as wild fire, insect infestation etc.
Values and features such as bird nests, riparian areas along spawning areas, cultural heritage values etc. also need to be considered
AOC prescriptions are adopted for these areas and are captured/described in the FMP text
There are generally three types of silviculture systems used; they include clear-cut, shelter and selection harvest systems.
Silviculture treatments include mechanical site preparation, prescribed burning, artificial and natural regeneration systems and pesticide spray applications.
Operational planning also includes managing roads through road management strategies which include congruency with land use guidelines and also reflect the needs of other users of the forest.
Road types include primary, branch and operational; road use strategies are captured/described in the FMP text.
Planned operations must reflect the intent of the Long Term Management Direction document (LTMD)
The LCC role in operational planning is to assess whether there is a fair balance between the plans for forest operations and the affects it has with other users on the forest.
The Chair man thanked Mac for the presentation of FMP Learning Compass Module 4.
Romeo Malette Forest Update- Rusty Fink/Lino Morandin
Rusty and Lino provide the Timmins LCC with the following update:
Some harvest and hauling taking place presently although very limited
Working on the background document 10 year annual report in preparation for the second five year FMP planning exercise
Operational planning exercises for the planning team will take place shortly (within the next couple of months)
Abitibi River Forest Contingency Forest Management Plan Update-Kees Stryland
Kees provided the Timmins LCC with the following update:
The ARF Contingency Plan has been approved as of April 1, 2012; this plan provides the forest company with 1 year of operations while the 10 year plan is being completed
The 10 year draft plan submission is scheduled for June 21, 2012
Work still to be completed includes road responsibility map, road use strategy and AOC planning
Issues to be resolved include the canoe route corridors, and the mayor’s issue with plan harvest allocations.
Round Table Discussions-All
Interesting meeting
The View-scape Analysis presentation was very interesting
Scott Tam reminded everyone about the Hazardous waste day collection in Timmins scheduled for May 26, 2012
Kees Pols reminded everyone that Source Water Protection open house is the last opportunity for the public to review and provide input on the Source Water Protection Plan.
Kees also indicated that the children water festival is scheduled for May 23, 2012 at the Hollinger Park.
A LCC field trip was proposed and accepted by the members in place of the May 30, 2012 meeting. Glen and Lino will organize a field trip in place of the next meeting.
Bill Russell indicated that the Dome mining group is planning a tour of the Hollinger tailings reclamation project. Let Bill know if you would be interested in attending
Action Item 04-12-02: Glen and Lino will organize a field trip for the Timmins LCC in place of the May 30, 2012 meeting
The meeting adjourned at 8:55 pm
Next Meeting is scheduled for May 30, 2012 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