Forest Management Planning in Ontario
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| Public consultation is a key part of our forest management planning process, and includes the following requirements: |
- stakeholder and interest group representation on a local citizens committee to assist the planning team with the preparation of a forest management plan;
- a formal public consultation process, including public notices, public information forums and opportunities to review and comment on planning documentation;
- provisions for special consultation efforts with Aboriginal people;
- direct consultation with stakeholders and interested and affected parties in the planning of forest operations;
- a formal process for the resolution of issues; and
- a final opportunity to request the Minister of Environment to order an individual environmental assessment of specific proposed forest management activities
The planning team encourages public involvement at any time during the development of a forest management plan. In addition, there is a mandatory five-stage public consultation process. The five stages occur over a two-year period, at key decision-making points in the development of a forest management plan.
- The first stage of consultation involves notifying the public that forest management planning is starting, and inviting the public to participate.
- The second stage provides an opportunity for the public to review and comment on preliminary material, including the proposed long-term management direction for the forest, optional areas for harvest and alternative road corridors.
- The third stage gives the public the opportunity to review proposed road corridors and the proposed operations for harvest, renewal and tending, including the detailed planning to protect values.
- he fourth stage provides an opportunity for the public to review the draft plan and the list of required alterations resulting from MNR's review of the draft plan.
- The fifth stage provides an opportunity for the public to inspect the approved plan.
As the plan is prepared, stakeholders as well as interested and affected people become actively involved in the planning process. The planning team makes extra efforts to directly involve those people in the detailed planning of operations. Click here for additional information and to learn more about the Forest Management Planning Process. |
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