Timmins Area Local Citizens Committee Timmins OMNR District * * Terms of Reference * *

The Timmins Local Citizens Committee (LCC) has been formed by the Timmins District Manager in compliance with section 13 of the Crown Forest Sustainability Act (1994) and terms and condition 4 of the Environmental Assessment Board's decision on the Timber Management Class Environmental Assessment. The Timmins LCC will deal with resource management issues for the northern part of Timmins District, which includes the administrative areas known as the Mattagami and Nighthawk areas (see map, attached). The southern part of Timmins District is covered by the Gogama LCC. Resource management issues that arise within the Timmins District Nighthawk and Mattagami administrative areas will involve the Timmins LC in the planning and development of the policies and guidelines that affect this ecosystem.

Mandate of the Committee:

Under Section 13 of the Crown Forest Sustainability Act (1994):

"The Minister shall establish local citizens' committees to advise the Minister on the preparation and implementation of forest management plans and on any other matters referred to the committees by the Minister."

As stated in the Environmental Assessment Board's decision on the Timber Management Class Environmental Assessment the Local Citizens' Committee (LCC) will be composed of local people who live and work in the area or otherwise have a direct "local" interest in forest management planning.
The mandate of the committee will be the following:

• to provide advice to the District Manager on various natural resource management issues.
• to aid in the creation of practical strategies for integrated management of the ecosystem.
• to review concerns expressed by local citizens/interest groups on management issues as they arise;
• to provide a forum for the discussion of management issues and areas of concern;
• to improve the participation of the "general" public in forest management planning.

LCC Membership:

The members of the Local Citizens Committee shall represent the following local interest groups:

I. tourist outfitter
II. campers
III. small local forest industry company
IV. large local forest industry company
V. First Nations
VI. Conservation Authority
VII. naturalists
VIII. trappers
IX. the general public (2)
X. anglers and hunters
XI. cottagers
XII. mining industry/prospectors
XIII. snowmobilers

Each member on the LCC has one vote.

The LCC will review applications/requests of any additional stakeholders for membership on the LCC.

Any other stakeholder in the Timmins area, that has expressed interest in the Timmins Forest Region may request of the Local Citizens Committee to join the LCC. Upon acceptance, the stakeholder would become a voting member of the LCC and can appoint an alternate.

In the event that a LCC member resigns, the alternate shall become the new member of that respective interest group. If there is no alternate to take the position, the interest group shall consider nominations from his/her interest group and select a new member. Where no organized interest groups exist, vacant positions will be advertised through the local media by the District Manager. The selected individual will require approval by the Timmins M.N.R. District Manager.

Each LCC member will have an alternate to take his or her place in the event that the LCC member is unable to attend a LCC function. The alternate shall have the same rights and responsibilities as a member while attending on behalf of a member.

Members of the LCC will be asked to declare any conflicts of interest that they may have on a particular issue. A conflict of interest is a situation where the member may see a personal gain through the resolution of the issue. In this case, and If the issue goes to a vote, then the alternate will vote in place of the member.

Each LCC member shall inform the chairperson or the secretary if both member and alternate will be unable to attend a meeting. In the event that a LCC member and/or alternate miss three meetings in a row without notifying the Chairperson, they will be deemed to be resigned.

All members and alternates shall be appointed for a two year term at which time their appointment shall be reconfirmed, or new members considered. Fifty percent (50%) of the membership shall be eligible for renewal each year at the LCC members' discretion.

With adequate explanation to the LCC, the committee members may consider reinstating either the above member or alternate (or both) to previous good standing.

All members shall accept the Terms of Reference.

Purpose of the Committee:

• Ensure all of the stakeholders have the opportunity to provide comment on natural ecosystem issues.
  
• Ensure that all stakeholders are provided with the opportunity to review pertinent information concerning:
  • the state of the Forest, including the condition of its flora and fauna;
    
  • the policies, guidelines, programs and projects of the Ministry of Natural Resources that relate to the management of the ecosystem; and
    
  • legislative requirements.
    
• Provide a forum for stakeholders to have issues and questions, which fall within the mandate of the committee, addressed and their point of view put forward.
  
• Permit a continuous and regular dialogue among the stakeholders so as to prevent conflicts; and if conflicts arise, to recommend solutions to resolve them in a structured process.
  
• Review, advise and guide, through recommendations and other resource issues for the improvement of the forest management planning process and practices in the forest.
  
• Support projects and programs that the LCC has determined to enhance the value of all forest's resources and ensure the long term sustainability of the natural ecosystem.
  
• Provide recommendations for the improvement of the transfer of natural resource related information to the general public.
  
• Provide timely recommendations/input, recognizing pre-established legislated schedules and guidelines.
  
  Responsibilities of the LCC Members:
  
  Each representative with input from their respective constituents shall:
  
  
• communicate to the rest of the LCC members its special interests and its needs, taking into
• consideration the opinions and point of view of the other members;
• participate actively in seeking solutions to conflicts that may arise among the users of the forest;
• report accurately to its members and the general public the LCC's deliberations, recommendations and activities;
• promote understanding of resource related issues within the Timmins District Nighthawk and Mattagami administrative areas through ongoing communication.
• communicate with their constituents or parent organizations, issues that may affect them.
  

Responsibilities of the Ministry of Natural Resources:

The Ministry shall provide information to the LCC on all aspects of management of the Timmins District Nighthawk and Mattagami administrative areas in a timely manner. When LCC input is deemed advisable, the Ministry of Natural Resources shall transfer information and provide consultation for the LCC to make recommendations regarding any changes that may affect the policies and guidelines on the Timmins District Nighthawk and Mattagami administrative areas. Specifically, the Ministry will seek to involve LCC members in a number of resource management projects in the following manner:

• development of, changes and or amendments to forest management plans, local fish and wildlife strategies and surveys, district compliance strategies and annual plans and other Crown land strategies (e.g. Crown Land Access Points)
• obtain feedback and suggestions for public consultation on resource management projects within the district;
• rely on the LCC as a 'sounding board' for ideas and suggestions on local resource management initiatives prior to full public consultation;
• provide input, feedback and recommendations to regional and provincial initiatives that are brought forward by the MNR Timmins District office.

The Ministry of Natural Resources shall designate liaison person(s) who shall assist the LCC in requests for assistance in training, support, acquiring information, solicit agenda items, arrange for guest speakers, organize field trips for LCC if necessary and act as the one window for the LCC with the MNR.

MNR will respond to, or act upon, recommendations of the LCC in a timely manner.

Functioning of the LCC:

Role of the Chairperson

The LCC chairperson shall be elected by the LCC members. The LCC may elect a chairperson who is not a member of the LCC. The Chairperson will hold the position for one year (April 1st to March 31st). Nominations for a new Chairperson will be accepted by the Secretary in February for elections to be held in March. All nominees will make a small presentation to the committee. Voting will be done by means of a private ballot and scrutinized by the M.N.R.

The chairperson will conduct the LCC meetings. In his/her absence, an alternate will conduct the meeting(s). After a 15 minute delay, when neither chairperson nor the alternate is present, any other committee member may conduct the meeting.

The LCC Chair will ensure that members have an opportunity to discuss a contentious issue with their parent group before a decision is made.

The Chairperson shall be given control of the meeting. Current King Procedures will be followed at all meetings. The Chairperson will address the person before they speak.

Role of the Secretary

MNR will hire and pay for the expenses of a secretary for the LCC.

The minutes will be drafted within 7 days prior to the next regular meeting and distributed to LCC members and their alternates and to interested individuals/interest groups who have expressed an interest in receiving copies of the minutes. At the meeting they will be approved and are public documents after being approved. The minutes of the meeting will be signed by the chairperson.

The LCC will keep written minutes and, in particular, of any recommendations made by them to the District Manager, Timmins District M.N.R. Written records shall be available to the public.

Forest Management Planning Teams

A member elected by the LCC shall serve as a representative of the LCC on the forest management planning team(s) and will serve as a liaison to the LCC and the planning team(s).

A M.N.R. planning team representative and the planning team chairperson shall regularly attend LCC meetings as resource persons and observers. The planning team chairperson may also be the forest industry representative with full member privileges. Planning team members may attend task team meetings as observers.

LCC members may attend forest management planning team meetings as observers.

Task Teams (Ad hoc Committee)

A group of stakeholders and/or LCC members may be directed by the LCC to form a task team to study a particular issue and be asked to make recommendations to the LCC as a whole. This group may draw on other effected stakeholders from outside of the LCC to sit on this task group.

Decision Making

The members of the LCC will strive for consensus in making informed recommendations to the District Manager. If the LCC should fail to reach a consensus, a majority of the LCC members shall be required to agree to a recommendation. A minority recommendation may be provided in writing to the District Manager as part of the majority recommendation. The District Manager has the responsibility to consider both majority and minority opinions, and to make a decision having regard to local and provincial resource management objectives and any pre-existing obligations.

LCC Meetings

All meetings of the LCC will be public.

The LCC will have a quorum to hold an official meeting by having at least 50% of the active members present.
Each member group of the LCC has one vote. An LCC member may be accompanied by a colleague member(s) who may be granted the right to speak by the chairperson.

A resolution affecting a particular stakeholder/member/alternate will not be voted upon in the absence of that stakeholder/member/alternate.

Minutes will be taken at LCC meetings, and these minutes will be provided for general public review.

Members of the public wanting to be placed on the agenda may be asked to fill out an agenda form.

Any individual who has expressed interest in a subject to be discussed by the LCC may participate in the deliberations but shall not have to the right to vote on the matter.

The LCC will convene at least every three (3) months. Notices of meetings and agenda will be sent to the members prior to the meeting. Consideration shall be given to pre-established, legislated schedules and guidelines (Appendix D,E, when and if required.)

The LCC will monitor the implementations of its recommendations.

Any outstanding recommendations to MNR will remain in the minutes of subsequent meetings until they are acted upon

Recommendations and action items will be numbered to allow for easy reference

The LCC may request the Ministry of Natural Resources through the identified Liaison person(s) (Appendix A, when and if required) for any information, support, training or assistance required to assist them in making an informed decision.
LCC members should be present at Information Centres and Open Houses during the preparation of the forest management plan.

Review Schedule for the Terms of Reference

The Terms of Reference will be reviewed every two years or as required.

Dated at Timmins, Ontario this 17th day of November, 1999

_________________________ ____________________________
District Manager Chairperson
Ministry of Natural Resources Timmins Local Citizens Committee
Timmins District

Under LCC Meetings - Grant suggested an agenda form to be filled out

Presenter

Agenda Item: (Topic to be presented)
Presenter and Affiliation:
LCC Representative:
Background: (on issue)
Expectations: (what are they looking for from the LCC)
MNR Resource People Required:
Equipment: (vcr, etc. needed)
Terms of Reference: (is topic in our Mandate)
Time: (needed for presentation)

LCC

Terms of Reference: LCC
Facilitator Needed:
Time: (how much time presenter will be allowed)

Terms of Reference	Minutes	Conference
Members	Home	Important Links

FastCounter by bCentral