A Flawed Forest Management Plan
The Ministry of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry (MNDMRF, formerly MNRF) has issued a Forest Management Plan (FMP) to clearcut areas at Clearwater Bay subject to the Restricted Area Order (RAO) and close to the shoreline bordering the area’s residential properties.
A threat to the ecosystems
The intended clearcut plan is flawed because it is a threat to the ecosystem of Clearwater Bay. By removing all the trees, the influx of added nutrients would be detrimental to the water quality, the lake trout habitat and more than a dozen other endangered wildlife species.
The Restricted Area Order
The RAO should apply to all activities that would directly impact the Clearwater Bay watershed. Residents of Clearwater Bay have abided by the rules of the RAO to protect the Bay, this clearcut plan does not do the same. It would seem there is a difference between private landowner’s land and Crown land when it comes to the Ministry’s science of protecting the lake.
This Forest Management Plan will be in breach of the underpinning reasons for this very legislation. In 2018, Premier Ford launched a campaign promise to protect Ontario’s water. How can this be true if the clearcutting plan is in stark contradiction of the promise to:
keep Ontario beautiful by protecting its waterways
Forest Management Plan
This map demonstrates the areas that are planned and proposed FMP operations superimposed on the area’s watershed and hydrological features.
RED: Planned cut 2017-2022
GREEN: Proposed cut 2022-2032
These maps illustrate the plan for the clear cut areas around Clearwater Bay. The government plans to clearcut a two mile (5 KM) stretch of land running between Highway #1 (Ontario #17) just outside the town of Kenora and the shores of Clearwater Bay.
Burma / Beau Jess / Inglis
West Moth Lake
Kendall Inlet
Kendall Inlet – 2017
Woodchuck / Echo
We believe the impact of clearcutting on Crown land in this area is just as much of a threat to Clearwater Bay as is overdevelopment on private land.
Our way of life
The proposed Forest Management Plan will also benefit from Clearwater Bay cottage access roads to reduce the cost of logging operations. Such heavy logging machinery and equipment will cause eventual damage to these roads. We believe these roads should be preserved for use by the cottage owners and local area businesses. The clearcut plan is an obvious bid to take advantage of the economies afforded through the use of these access roads.
Previous
Next