Algonquin Backcountry Recreationalists
ABR Questioned AFA Report Recommendations
On May 2nd, the Algonquin Backcountry Recreationalists submitted, to both Algonquin Park and the Algonquin Forestry Authority, concerns over two recommendations contained in the AFA's Year 10 Annual Report for the Algonquin Park Forest (Plan Period April1, 2005 to March 31, 2010 .. for the year April 1, 2009 to March 31, 2010).
The AFA report can be downloaded here.
The ABR concerns can be downloaded here.
The response from Gord Cumming (A.F.A. Chief Forester) included ..
“Pages E-15 of the 2009 Forest Management Planning Manual for Ontario's Crown Forests state the following with respect to the preparation of management unit annual reports: 'The analysis of renewal and tending will include recommended changes to improve the effectiveness of renewal and tending operations'. This is a requirement for management units across the province.
Both of these recommendations of concern relate specifically to renewal and tending challenges that we face in Algonquin Park. As you have pointed out, there is rationale for these forest management "constraints"; these are identified in the Algonquin Park Management Plan, as you have quoted.
Please note that these recommendations are strictly related to renewal and tending operations, and the ability of the forest manager to be effective and efficient with renewal and tending activities. Recommendations such as these from annual reports are considered by the FMP Planning Team in conjunction with all of the other values, objectives, indicators and targets that exist for the management unit. Based on all of these considerations, these recommendations may or may not be acted upon.”
ABR comments:
The FMPM may well require “recommended changes to improve the effectiveness of renewal and tending operations”. However, while the recommendations were included under such a heading, the wording of the first of the two recommendations appeared to be more inclusive than just those terms.
The recommendation started, “Restrictions on summer logging should be minimized.” It did not specify just monitoring, renewal and tending .. which in themselves could definitely involve truck and machinery noise. Its use of the all-inclusive term “logging” gave rise to concern.
The recommendation went on to state, “Seasonal restrictions are resulting in economic hardship for contractors, unsustainable wood supplies for mills relying on wood from Algonquin Park ..”. The ABR believes that an interruption of wood supplies to mills is not something the FMP Planning Team may remedy by acting on a recommendation to minimize restrictions on summer logging. Those restrictions are part of the official Park Management Plan.
The response from Joe Yaraskavitch (Park Forester, Algonquin Provincial Park) included ..
“.. the Park Management Plan (PMP) must be followed and any proposed change that differs from the PMP would need to be an amendment to the PMP. So there are no plans to deviate from the PMP.”
and ..
“Ontario Parks recognizes that for successful silviculture a road/crossing may be necessary for a couple of years after harvest for follow up renewal and tending activities. Obviously for areas near/crossing recreation features or near other sensitive values access would be completed as quickly as possible as per the PMP.”
ABR comments (cont'd):
The Algonquin Park response confirmed the ABR interpretation that the Park Management Plan has full authority, that its terms are there for valid reasons, and that the FMP Planning Team has to adhere to the Park Management Plan.
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