TEMAGAMI ACTION CENTRE

Fax to Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources

Please feel free to edit the content of the fax below as you see fit.

Date:
To:	Honourable Donna Cansfield, Minister of Natural Resources
Subject:	Re: Forest Management Plan for the Temagami Crown Management Unit (CMU) for the 10-year period April 1, 2009 to March 31, 2019

Honourable Donna Cansfield
Minister of Natural Resources
99 Wellesley Street West, Room 6630, Whitney Block
Toronto, ON  M7A 1W3
Fax: 416-325-5316

Re: Forest Management Plan for the Temagami Crown Management Unit (CMU) for the 10-year period April 1, 2009 to March 31, 2019 - Review of Proposed Operations

Dear Minister Cansfield,

The Proposed Operations for the Temagami Forest must be modified to ensure that ecological and recreational values are adequately protected. As you know, Temagami is an internationally renowned area for its old-growth red and white pine forests. More than half of the world's remaining old-growth red and white pine is located in Temagami; visitors travel from all over the world to see the forest's majestic pines and to explore its superb backcountry canoe routes and hiking trails.

Because of its unique features, forest operations in Temagami must be conducted with the utmost care. Old-growth red and white pine must be excluded from operations altogether. Furthermore, operations must cease in the backcountry, so that the area's remote wilderness character can be maintained. All cut blocks west of the Sharp Rock portage must be spared from logging, as must the old-growth forest near Owain Lake. This will ensure that Temagami's unique ecological and recreational values are protected.

I am pleased that the proposed harvest area near the Grandmother and Grandfather Rocks has been removed from allocation. However, I am very concerned that cut-block Canton 60 which is in close proximity to the Spirit Forest and the Spirit Rock sacred site, is included in the Proposed Operations for the Temagami Forest. Logging in this area poses threats to an area of spiritual significance, and is opposed by the Ojibway Elder on whose family territory the harvesting is scheduled to proceed. This entire block must be removed from allocation.

I am also distressed by the changes to Area of Concern (AOC) prescriptions for recreational values. Temagami is the third most popular wilderness canoeing destination in the word; as such, its recreational lakes, canoe routes, portages, hiking trails and viewpoints must be fully protected. I oppose any reduction of AOC reserves around these features. All routes, portages and trails identified on Craig McDonald's historic trails map must be given reserves of at least 200 metres. All historic canoe routes in the region are an integral part of the Nastawgan, and none should be treated as "secondary." Furthermore, new hiking and ski trails must also have reserves of a minimum of 200 metres.

Finally, I oppose the planning team's approach to whittling away viewscape protection. Viewscapes are necessary for the preservation of Temagami's remote wilderness character. It is reckless to decrease protection for the region's recreational values when actual harvest levels have been much below forecasted levels for the last several plans and mill demand is at a historic low. The desire for remote tourism opportunities is rapidly increasing and any reduction of current reserves will undermine Temagami's recreational potential.

The Proposed Operations for the Temagami Forest must be modified in order to protect ecological and recreational values in this important area.

Thank you for the opportunity to participate in the planning process.

Sincerely,


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