A Short Guide for Prospectors to Forest Management Units or Gaining Access to the Forest for Mineral Exploration Purposes
Prospectors usually research an area before they venture into the bush to explore for minerals. There are many different types of maps at their disposal but there is one resource that many of us may not be aware of―Forest Management Plans (FMPs).
The MNRF has divided much of the province's Crown forests into management units (FMUs) and each has a FMP. FMPs have a ten-year duration, though occasionally this may be extended by up to three years. They include details on harvesting locations & schedules and the location, construction and decommissioning of access roads. A map of FMU boundaries in NW Ontario, overlaid on a geology map, is provided (view map). A table of FMUs, with the responsible MNRF office and telephone number is provided below.
Other details about FMUs are available from MNRF at
https://www.ontario.ca/page/forest-management-planning?_escaped_fragment_=/
Each FMU should also have a Local Citizens Committee, the members of which are volunteers who represent land users including the minerals sector. Each FMP is under continual review by the LCC and the Ministry. To find out when a particular plan is up for renewal, contact the local MNRF district office or use the public Forest Management website noted above. To learn if there is a minerals sector representative on the LCC for your area of interest or to volunteer for such a position, contact MNRF or a member of NWOPA’s Board of Directors.
The Regional Land Use Geologist (RLUG) with the Thunder Bay MNDM office can advise you regarding land use issues related to prospecting and mineral exploration issues. Call (807) 475-1663.
MNRF District Offices (telephone numbers for FMU inquiries)
Sault Ste. Marie 705-949-1231
Atikokan 807-597-6971
Dryden 807-223-3341
Fort Frances 807-274-5337
Geraldton 807-854-1030
Ignace 807-934-2233
Kenora 807-468-2501
Nipigon 807-887-5000
Red Lake 807-727-2253
Sioux Lookout 807-737-1140
Terrace Bay 807-825-3205
Thunder Bay 807-475-1471
Wawa 705-856-2396
Toll free 800-667-1940 or 800-387-7011 and ask for the office you wish to contact
Prospectors usually research an area before they venture into the bush to explore for minerals. There are many different types of maps at their disposal but there is one resource that many of us may not be aware of―Forest Management Plans (FMPs).
The MNRF has divided much of the province's Crown forests into management units (FMUs) and each has a FMP. FMPs have a ten-year duration, though occasionally this may be extended by up to three years. They include details on harvesting locations & schedules and the location, construction and decommissioning of access roads. A map of FMU boundaries in NW Ontario, overlaid on a geology map, is provided (view map). A table of FMUs, with the responsible MNRF office and telephone number is provided below.
Other details about FMUs are available from MNRF at
https://www.ontario.ca/page/forest-management-planning?_escaped_fragment_=/
Each FMU should also have a Local Citizens Committee, the members of which are volunteers who represent land users including the minerals sector. Each FMP is under continual review by the LCC and the Ministry. To find out when a particular plan is up for renewal, contact the local MNRF district office or use the public Forest Management website noted above. To learn if there is a minerals sector representative on the LCC for your area of interest or to volunteer for such a position, contact MNRF or a member of NWOPA’s Board of Directors.
The Regional Land Use Geologist (RLUG) with the Thunder Bay MNDM office can advise you regarding land use issues related to prospecting and mineral exploration issues. Call (807) 475-1663.
MNRF District Offices (telephone numbers for FMU inquiries)
Sault Ste. Marie 705-949-1231
Atikokan 807-597-6971
Dryden 807-223-3341
Fort Frances 807-274-5337
Geraldton 807-854-1030
Ignace 807-934-2233
Kenora 807-468-2501
Nipigon 807-887-5000
Red Lake 807-727-2253
Sioux Lookout 807-737-1140
Terrace Bay 807-825-3205
Thunder Bay 807-475-1471
Wawa 705-856-2396
Toll free 800-667-1940 or 800-387-7011 and ask for the office you wish to contact
Forest Management Units in Northwestern Ontario
(click to view as a pdf)
NWOPA Board of Directors Land Use Contact
Mike Grant – lcc.lakeheadforest@gmail.com
(Revised 2018-12-15)
Mike Grant – lcc.lakeheadforest@gmail.com
(Revised 2018-12-15)
Proposed regulations regarding some endangered species in NW Ontario
Ontario is proposing a new regulatory approach to conserving 6 endangered species, 4 of which, all birds—barn swallow, bobolink, eastern whip-poor-will, eastern meadow lark—have at least some breeding area in NW Ontario. Of these, all but the meadow lark have required consideration by a few exploration and mining projects in the region over the past 10 years.
The comment period has closed, but you can read the proposed policy and follow the process by visiting the Environmental Registry (notice number 019-2639).
Mike Grant
NWOPA Land-use Committee
Ontario is proposing a new regulatory approach to conserving 6 endangered species, 4 of which, all birds—barn swallow, bobolink, eastern whip-poor-will, eastern meadow lark—have at least some breeding area in NW Ontario. Of these, all but the meadow lark have required consideration by a few exploration and mining projects in the region over the past 10 years.
The comment period has closed, but you can read the proposed policy and follow the process by visiting the Environmental Registry (notice number 019-2639).
Mike Grant
NWOPA Land-use Committee
