Minaki Co)agers Associa0on. Impacts of forestry opera0ons conducted in 2012/13 between Sand Lake and Vermilion Lake

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1 Minaki Co)agers Associa0on Impacts of forestry opera0ons conducted in 2012/13 between Sand Lake and Vermilion Lake

2 Background The Minaki Co)agers Associa0on has been ac0vely engaged in forest management planning to protect the interests of the associa0on including: Impacts on scenic values as a result of clear cut logging close to water bodies Disrup0ve noise during logging opera0ons with nega0ve impacts on enjoyment of summer proper0es March Minaki Co)agers Associa0on 2

3 Background The MCA adopted a policy described as no see no hear to address these concerns Cutovers will not be visible from the waters of main lakes in proximity to Minaki. Logging opera0ons will be 0med so as to reduce or eliminate noise from machinery. March Minaki Co)agers Associa0on 3

4 Background The MCA intervened in planning for the 2006/11 forest management plan through dispute resolu0on and environmental assessments Results were reasonably successful however the process was onerous In planning for the 2012/22 FMP the MCA engaged earlier in the process and was successful in having measures to achieve the no see no hear policy included as modified opera0ons in the FMP March Minaki Co)agers Associa0on 4

5 Background Concerns were raised in the fall of 2012 and again in the late winter 2013 regarding implementa0on of the modified opera0ons in the area between Sand and Vermilion Lakes The MCA requested a field visit to inves0gate the concerns and assess the impacts Results of the inspec0on are shown as case studies (Case Study #1 and Case Study #2) March Minaki Co)agers Associa0on 5

6 Route of the inspec0on (shown in red) conducted on March March Minaki Co)agers Associa0on 6

7 Loca<ons referred to in the inspec<on report Site 3: Photos 6 &7 Harbour Island Site 2: Photo 3 Site 1: Photos 1 & 2 March Minaki Co)agers Associa0on 7

8 Photo #1 Site 1 Case study #1 Concerns were raised that the forested skyline was disappearing as a result of logging. This was not strictly speaking contrary to the no see no hear policy however it is a valid concern that might bear further ac0on. This picture shows the shoreline iden0fied in the concern. This picture was taken at a distance of roughly 500 metres. At this distance there is no visual evidence of logging. March Minaki Co)agers Associa0on 8

9 Photo #2 Site 1 This picture was taken in May 2011 prior to the implementa0on of the no see no hear policy in Sand Lake and Vermilion Island are visible in mid- frame. It isn t likely that this site was visible from the lake but distant observers would see a change in skyline. This might the site of the first report. March Minaki Co)agers Associa0on 9

10 The red arrow shows the visual site line that led to the first concern (disappearing skyline). The cutover (from 2010/11) is roughly 3.5 kilometres away from the site. At that distance it is possible to see much further into the cutover and it is quite likely there could be significant changes to the skyline. Topography in the block plays a role in this. March Minaki Co)agers Associa0on 10

11 Photo #1 X Photo #2 March Minaki Co)agers Associa0on 11

12 Photo #3 Site 2 Sand Lake This picture was taken on March and shows the road through block This block was cut during the winter of 2012/13. A por0on of Sand Lake is visible in the distance. The water body in the middle of the frame is actually a small lake cut off from the main part of Sand Lake (see Google map view). An intact stand of Black Ash in mid- frame is between here and the lake. It is unlikely that the cutover will be visible once the area begins to leaf out in the spring March Minaki Co)agers Associa0on 12

13 Photo #3 March Minaki Co)agers Associa0on 13

14 Photo #4 This picture shows the winter road crossing the south portage between Sand and Vermilion Lakes. The road should disappear in a month or so. Photo taken March March Minaki Co)agers Associa0on 14

15 Photo #5 This picture shows a typical view of the cutover area in block Slash is piled for burning. The quan0ty of residual standing trees throughout the cutover is interes0ng. March Minaki Co)agers Associa0on 15

16 Photos #6 and #7 X March Minaki Co)agers Associa0on 16

17 Photo #6 Site 3 Case study #2 (looking east from Harbour Island) Concerns were raised that impacts of logging in block were visible from Sand Lake contrary to the intent of the no see no hear policy incorporated in the 2012/22 FMP. This picture was taken at a distance of roughly 500 metres from the shore. There are two obvious openings in the forest resul0ng from the logging opera0ons. The area to the leb appears to be a road right of way. Slash is piled for burning. The road appears to be heading east to access block The opening to the right near the shore may be part of the right of way. It is possible that this por0on of the road is closer than the 90 metre reserve in place around Sand Lake. March Minaki Co)agers Associa0on 17

18 Photo #7 Site 3 Case study #2 (looking east from Harbour Island) This is a closer view of the road right of way in photo #6. The road is obvious in this March 13 photo and it is likely that it will be easily seen in the summer since there are no trees to obscure the view. The site to the right is likely part of the right of way. The width of the reserve should be confirmed through a compliance inspec0on. March Minaki Co)agers Associa0on 18

19 Conclusions Overall the no see no hear policy has been successfully implemented as a result of modified opera0ons incorporated in the 2012/22 FMP. The area inspected was cut in either 2010/11 or 2012/ Clearly there is evidence of modifica0ons to the skyline resul0ng from logging. The impacts of this are not apparent close to the shore but become magnified with distance. 2. There have been no complaints of noise from logging opera0ons. Logging took place during the winter which accomplished the no hear part of the policy. 3. There is one site (see photos 6 and 7) where the logging opera0ons (road construc0on) are easily visible from the lake. March Minaki Co)agers Associa0on 19

20 Recommenda0ons 1. The no hear policy is easily applied through winter opera0ons and should be con0nued in future plans. 2. The road that can be seen from the lake in photos #6 and #7 is of some concern. MNR should be contacted and the circumstances confirmed by MNR inspectors. Whether or not the FMP requirements have been violated should be determined. The road will be visible for some 0me to come and it is possible that boaters passing by may make further comments. 3. The issue of modifica0ons to the skyline was not discussed in the FMP. It may be worthwhile to pursue this concept in the future. March Minaki Co)agers Associa0on 20

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