Solace Wildlands Under Threat

Monday, 11 May 2009 15:32

Solace Wildlands Campaign

The Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) and Vermilion Forest Management Company Ltd. are seeking review and comment on the proposed long-term management direction for the 2010 – 2020 forest management plan (FMP) for the Sudbury Forest.

This plan outlines the proposed levels of access, harvest, renewal and tending activities for regions in what we consider to be Western Temagami. This plan also includes preferred and optional harvest areas and areas which could be reasonably harvested during the ten-year term of the plan.

Some of these areas are situated in the Solace Wildlands - a remote area situated between Solace Park and the Sturgeon River Park. Of particular concern is a proposal to amend the recently adopted Sturgeon River Provincial Park Management Plan and allow another bridge to gain access to clear-cut this pristine area.

The Solace Wildlands is a large roadless area that is a major asset to any expansion of a true wilderness area in the Temagami District. FOT is very concerned that this plan threatens the integrity of the Pilgrim - Yorston Corridor, specifically the Yorston River and Pilgrim Creek canoe routes. FOT will oppose the crossing proposal as well as other issues within the FMP through the public process, from providing comment to the Long Term Management Direction (LTMD) to Issue Resolution and request for an Individual Environmental Assessment to the Ministry of Environment if need be.

Route_2

This image demonstrates the four Alternative Road Proposals as designed by Vermillion Forest Management as well as the collective forestry harvest allocation blocks.

Solace Roads 1 and 2 are the preferred alternatives because of the proximity to the primary allocations located immediately between Solace and Sturgeon River Provincial Parks.

The preparation of an FMP is a five-stage process. There is opportunity for public input at each stage:All relevant information can be found at the Vermillion Forest Management website http://sudburyforest.com/publicnotices.html

1. Background information gathering

2. Long term management direction (the review of the completed LTMD is going on right now--deadline is June 3rd.)

3. Review of proposed operations (June 09)

4. Review of the Draft Plan (November 09)

5. Inspection of the Final Plan (March 2010)

FOT has reviewed the LTMD and submitted our initial comments in which we stated our opposition to the Sturgeon River Crossing Proposal. http://www.friendsoftemagami.org/images/FOT-Sudbury%20FMP-review.pdf

Other items in the LTMD include road density, strengthening protections for cultural heritage and recreation values, old growth forest, and access control effectiveness.

Comments re. the "proposal to amend specific management direction for Sturgeon River PP" can be sent to either the plan author Tim Lehman, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or Roel Teunissen, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it The deadline for public comment is June 3rd.