Millar Western seeking stakeholder input into its Preferred Forest Management Scenario
Millar Western’s 2017-27 Detailed Forest Management Plan (DFMP) for its Forest Management Agreement (FMA) area is nearing its final phase. In development for more than two years, the plan will guide forest management operations in the FMA area for the next 10 years.
To ensure that the DFMP reflects local interests and priorities, Millar Western has sought public input at various junctures during its development. Starting October 4, it will begin its next and final consultation, beginning with a presentation of the draft Preferred Forest Management Scenario (PFMS) to Millar Western’s Public Advisory Committee. The next day, Millar Western will hold an open house at the Allan and Jean Millar Centre in Whitecourt, Alberta, from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm, to present the draft PFMS to all interested parties. “The PFMS is the result of an intensive back-and-forth process, whereby we use computer models to achieve the best balance among environmental, social and economic objectives on the land base,” said Chief Forester Bob Mason. “Whereas earlier consultations were focused on determining forest values — the features stakeholders deem important and wish to preserve on the landscape — the PFMS has accounted for those values and proposes harvesting volumes, locations and timeframes for the plan period.”
Those unable to attend the open house may access the draft PFMS and other plan materials at the virtual open house, after October 4. Once the consultations are complete, all feedback will be incorporated into the final plan, before it is submitted to the Alberta government later this year. Mason also reminded stakeholders that they also have an opportunity each year to review annual operating plans, which provide more specific details about pending near-term activities. “Developing sustainable plans is part science, part dialogue. We invite everyone to visit us — either in person or online — to review the proposed plans and provide their input, so that we can understand and mitigate potential impacts in advance of operations.”