Millar Western holding forest management open houses in May
This May, Millar Western will be hosting a series of open houses in and around its operating area, to discuss both its annual operating plan (AOP) for the 2015-16 forest year and to launch the public consultation process for its 2017-27 detailed forest management plan (DFMP), which will govern forest operations over the next decade. The open houses will provide an opportunity for stakeholders to learn where the company will be active in the year ahead and to weigh in on the forest values that should be considered in the next DFMP.
“This year, our open houses will address both short and long-term forest management planning,” said Millar Western’s Chief Forester, Bob Mason. “First, we will be sharing details of our forest management operations for the upcoming year, such as the location of harvesting and forest renewal activities, and of infrastructure, like roads and bridges. Second, we will be seeking the public’s assistance in identifying forest values, or characteristics that we should seek to preserve in our future forests. Good examples of forest values would be wildlife migration paths or mineral licks that encourage biodiversity, recreational features like snowmobile trails and camping spots, and areas of cultural significance, such as ceremonial sites.”
Validating forest values is an early step in DFMP development and helps to ensure that the final plan reflects regional environmental, economic, social and cultural objectives. Bob added that a second public consultation will take place in the summer of 2016, when the DFMP is further along, to allow the public to provide final input before the draft DFMP is submitted to the Alberta government for approval late next year.
Open houses will be held in Whitecourt on May 6, in Fox Creek on May 7, in Swan Hills on May 13 and in Ft. Assiniboine on May 14. See the open house advertisement and DFMP brochure for more information.