The Ontario government, Indigenous communities and municipalities will team up on a forest management plan by issuing a sustainable forest license (SFL) to Temagami Forest Management Corporation (TFMC).
SFLs are long-term licences granted for up to 20 years. They give the right to harvest all species of trees found in the licensed area.
The goal is to steward responsible harvesting and management of local forests while supporting job creation and driving economic growth.
It's expected the license will expand economic opportunities for Indigenous and other communities that rely on Ontario’s forests.
“The establishment of the Temagami Forest Management Corporation signals the beginning of a new era,” said Faye Johnson, Chair of the Temagami Forest Management Corporation board of directors. “The board is honoured to be part of the stewardship of this forest and looks forward to working with the industry and community partners – both Indigenous and non-Indigenous – to encourage innovation and investment while ensuring the unique attributes that make the forests of Temagami so special remain intact for generations to come.”
It's a sensitive part of the province, with environmental groups battling over the years to save the region's old-growth forest.
See: Documentary aims to Save Wolf Lake
The Temagami Forest Management Corporation is the second local forest management corporation established by the province and will carry out forest management responsibilities on the 456,770 hectare Temagami forest.
