Timmins Local Citizens Committee
Minutes of Meeting - January 30, 2013
LCC hours: 66 hours
Year to Date: 482
Total: 6555.4
Date: January 30, 2013
Location: Ontario Government Complex, Fire Boardroom
Present: Bill Russell, Robert Calhoun, Kees Stryland, Bob Bielek, Barry Edwards, Rusty Fink, Marc Lapalme, Marcel Cook, Jody Russell, Lino Morandin, Scott Tam, Mark Joron, Stefanie Thibeault
Regrets: James Naveau, Gail Krawchuk, Jenny Millson, Allan Moyle, Andy Chartrand, Dave Stringer, Ron Johnson, Kees Pols, Glen McFarlane
Absent:
MNR: Nikki Wood, Mac Kilgour, Adam Challis, Todd Copeland, Derrick Romain, Steve James
Public:
Guests: Sarah Sullivan, Tembec (by phone), Kyle Morrison (MNR Conservation Officer)
Call to Order: Bill Russell called the meeting to order at 6:45 pm
A round table introductions was done.
Agreed that the group will send a get well card to the secretary (Mac to do)
Review and Approval of tonight’s agenda:
Noted that the sturgeon talk could be start a bit late tonight.
Nikki suggested we drop the FMP training item - agreed
Motion to accept/second the Agenda as amended - Barry Edwards/Kees Stryland
All in favour-Carried
Review and Approval of December 12, 2012 Minutes:
Motion to accept/second – Scott Tam/Marcel Cook
All in favour-Carried
Update on the Abitibi River Forest (ARF) FMP – Bill Russell
Bill advised the group that he personally contacted the people in the Timmins portion of the Forest, who voiced concerns with the plan (FMP). With the exception of Larry Reeve, the people are now satisfied with the plan. Larry may pursue his concerns through other routes, at his option.
Bill proposed a motion to accept the ARF plan with the various modifications now done to accommodate other user issues, and also that the Annual Work Schedules (AWSs) refer to these concerns and modifications. Motion to Accept/Second – Bob Bielek/Rusty Fink. Passed unanimously.
Letters/Correspondence
None
District Manager Update
Mac Kilgour provided the members with a District update. The District Manager – who is Corrinne Nelson, District Manager from Kirkland Lake is covering both Districts for now, while Randy Pickering is on assignment in the Regional office.
Mac briefly gave an overview of the ongoing transformation of MNR; showed the high level org chart, and talked briefly about streamlining of permits, and also about Regional scale planning (copy of the org chart attached to the email with these minutes)
Mining Act Modernization – Robert Calhoun, MNDM
Rob gave a power point presentation on the Mining Act modernization; which is available on request from Robert, Nikki or Mac– it included;
Changes to the Mining Act;
exploration plans and permits process;
Aboriginal consultation
Plan amendments, renewals
After Robert’s talk, there were some questions and discussion:
Q: What are the rules regarding open pits and public safety?
A: They should be fenced off, if a hazard
Q: Does the public get notices of the plans and permits?
A: Yes, they are on the Environmental Registry
Q: What about damage to a cottage road by exploration companies?
A: The companies should respect those roads, but if the road is a public road on Crown land, they can use them. Should leave them in good condition.
Q: What should a person do if they find an old, open pit?
A: Report it to MNDM – they will investigate.
Sturgeon Update – Derrick Romain
Derrick went through a presentation on the sturgeon project, Mattagami River:
This sturgeon project started in 2002, with various partners – the Timmins Fur Council and the Club Navigateur La Ronde.
Without the work and initiative of partners, this project would never have gotten off the ground. MNR would not have been able to do this project alone.
In 2011 radio tracking began of the sturgeon.
The radio tracking has yielded some very interesting results, including dramatic movement of sturgeon up and down the river, during spawning and over the dam at Sandy Falls.
Xstrata helped with a chopper for radio tracking.
Partners involved currently: Timmins Fur Council, Club Navigateur, Lakeshore Golg, Xstrata.
Bill thanked Derrick, and reminded the group that volunteers are welcome.
Annual Report – Romeo Malette Forest – Sarah Sullivan, Tembec Inc (Chapleau, by phone)
While Nikki flipped through the powerpoint presentation, Sarah described the Year 3 Annual Report for the Romeo Malette Forest
This report (AR) covers the first 3 years of the FMP, so it covers 2009 – 2012.
It is required that the year 3 annual report assess whether the FMP is on track or not, and whether planning for the second five years (2014 – 2019) can proceed (FMP manual)
Most planned forest operations are on track, with timber harvest, road construction, regeneration and tending efforts close to projections (ie: 3/5 of the five years plan)
Fire 9, which was almost 100% in the Romeo Malette Forest, was actually in year 4 of the FMP, but because it was so large, the AR discusses in detail the effect of the fire.
This Annual Report must be approved by the District Manager and Regional Director, and it is now in for approval.
The end conclusion of the AR is:
“Based on the summaries of operations and activities on the Romeo Malette Forest, after three years of plan implementation, it would be reasonable to recommend that the long-term management direction remains valid and planning of operations for the second five-year term should proceed. However, the Timmins 9 fire provided a new context under which to review the validity of the LTMD. As a result of the Patchworks analysis presented in this report, it is recommended that the long-term management direction remains substantially valid and planning of operations for the second five-year term should proceed with the appropriate modifications.”
Motion to accept the Annual Report for year 3 of the Romeo Malette Forest, 2011-12, and proceed with Phase ll planning. Moved/seconded by Rusty Fink/Kees Stryland. Passed.
Romeo Malette Forest – Plan update – Rusty
Because Sarah had just covered most relevant topics on this item, no further discussion occurred tonight.
Abitibi River Forest – Plan update – Kees Stryland
Kees went over some of the “other user” issues on the forest eg: cottagers, Mayor’s concern with harvest decline (re: caribou).
Kees mentioned that the target date to have this plan approved in time for April 1, 2013.
Nikki mentioned that the final FMP, and the draft Annual Work Schedule, are available for review.
Round Table Discussions-All
Interesting meeting
Good info on Sturgeon, Mining, Forestry
Jody Russell mentioned the upcoming ‘Take a Kid Fishing Day”, which is on Family day – Monday Feb 18th, 2013.
The meeting adjourned at 9:00 pm
Next Meeting is scheduled for February 27, 2013 at the Fire Boardroom of the OGC.
People were asked to drive safely in the raging blizzard outside!
Please contact Gail Krawchuk at gga@ntl.sympatico.ca , or Nikki if you cannot attend.
Minutes typed by: Minutes approved by:
…………………… …………………………
Mac Kilgour
for
Gail Krawchuk Bill Russell
LCC Secretary Chair