Public involved in future of the Nipissing Forest

Nipissing Forest Local Citizens Committee
Media Release

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Planning is now underway for a new forest management plan for the Nipissing Forest, and a local citizens committee is calling on the public to get involved.

The first of five stages in the forest management planning process began February 8th with the release of an Invitation to Participate, issued by the Nipissing Forest Resource Management Inc, the Ministry of Natural Resources, and the Local Citizens Committee. The invitation is the first notice to area residents that a planning process is underway, with opportunities for public comment.

“These early days of the planning process are the best time for the public to get involved”, said the chair of the Nipissing Forest Local Citizens Committee, Dave Minden.

“It’s a two year process, but some very important decisions get made and directions set over the next six months”

Forest management planning for crown land has a detailed planning process that requires that the public be consulted at five different stages. The public is asked to comment on everything from what the future forest should look like to where roads might go and where forest harvesting might take place and whether herbicides will be used.

“There is a lot of background information available for people to look over, but what we need most from people right now is to hear what their priorities are for the forest, now and into the future”, explained Lorie Reed, the Committee’s representative on the forest management planning team.

The Nipissing Forest Local Citizens Committee has been in place since 1992, providing advice to the district manager of the Ministry of Natural Resources, primarily on issues related to forestry operations and forest management plans for crown land. When a forest management plan is being developed the District Manager also appoints a planning team that includes Ministry biologists and planners, forest industry representatives, Aboriginal community members, and a representative from the Local Citizens Committee.

More information is available from the local Ministry of Natural Resources office, from Nipissing Forest Resource Management Inc., or from members of the Nipissing Local Citizens Committee. Committee members can be contacted through the MNR.

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