Forest Management

Forest Management in Ontario's Boreal Forest

Forestry in northern Ontario has a rich history, which begins in the 1800s. A European demand for lumber gave rise to both a thriving industry and the iconic Canadian lumberjack, often pictured with an axe over his shoulder and a jaunty step. As time has progressed, forestry has gone from a seasonal, hands-on industry to a year-round, highly mechanized one. This evolution has resulted in more forest being cut, as well as an attempt to move towards more sustainable, ecologically sustainable practices.

Currently, much of the northern Ontario boreal forest is Crown-owned, which means that it belongs to the people of Canada and is managed by the provincial government. The rights to areas of the forest are bought by individual companies, who are then required to harvest and manage the forest sustainably, according to guidelines set by the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF).

Resource Stewardship Agreement

Another industry that operates on Crown-land is independent resource-based tourist operators, often specializing in fishing, hunting and ecotourism. In the past, logging and tourism interests have come into conflict because their mandates are quite different. While resource-based tourism requires long-term ecosystem sustainability to maintain their businesses, the approach of forestry has often been to clear cut a swathe of forest and leave it to regrow over many years. This practice often results in a turnover of both wildlife and plant life, and can affect the resource-based tourism businesses that relied on the original forest.

Under the guidance of the provincial government, the Resource Stewardship Agreement (RSA) process has been developed as a tool to protect and maintain both businesses' interests. An RSA allows both an independent resource-based tourism operator and the relevant forestry company to come to an agreement about land they both operate on. The process is primarily between the two parties, but the MNRF can mediate, if required.

Basket Lake and the RSA Process

At Basket Lake, there are two forestry companies that operate in and around the lake, Resolute, and Domtar. The division of the lake is an extra challenge, because it means an individual RSA needs to be negotiated with each one to protect the interests of Basket Lake Camp.

The negotiation process begins as each company drafts its management plan for their respective forest. Domtar's planning process is occurring in 2015, so we have reached out and requested the negotiation of an RSA, which will hopefully occur this coming fall. Resolute's planning begins in 2016, but we have made them aware that we wish to negotiate an RSA when they do begin planning.

Our goals are to negotiate an agreement with both companies that protects and sustains the fish populations in the lake, as well as preserving the wildlife that our patrons enjoy.