EAST CENTRAL — Edgewood and Weyerhaeusser are holding their annual series of public consultation and information meetings related to forest operations with stops in Tisdale, Hudson Bay, Carrot River, Porcupine Plain and Endeavour.
Topics will include a draft of the 2022-23 annual operating plan for harvest and reforestation operations in the Pasquia Porcupine forest management area as well as an update on their 20-year forest management plan.
The 20-year forest management plan is currently going into its 7th year, with a review slated for its 10th year.
“The main goal of those meetings is to get public input,” said Travis Hedger, woodlands planning superintendent for Edgewood. “At that point in time those plans are only draft so with getting input from the public we can a lot of times incorporate information into the final operating plan,”
Past consultations have resulted in changes to road access with cabin owners and harvest scheduling with trappers.
“Sometimes we’ve been able to update the database with changes to dispositions such as cabins and things like that which we get from the province but it’s not always that up to date. So it’s kind of an information gathering session and it’s an opportunity to put out there, ‘Here’s what our plans are.’”
The meetings will take place Oct. 26 at Quilly’s Community Place Gym in Porcupine Plain, Oct. 27 at the former school building in Endeavour, Oct. 28 at the RECplex’s Hanover Room in Tisdale, Nov. 1 at Princess Hall in Hudson Bay and Nov. 2 at Pioneer Place in Carrot River.
Industry foresters will be on hand to make presentations and answer questions. This will be followed by an open house with opportunities to provide input into planned operations and to ask questions about specific areas.
Meetings are limited to 30 people at once. Attendees must be physically distanced and masks will be required. The events may be cancelled depending on COVID-19 outbreak and provincial regulations.
“If people are interested and curious, participate. If you can’t make it to an open house, as not everyone can, we can always be reached at either office. The consultation and information process doesn’t stop at that point, it’s ongoing.”
Those who don’t feel comfortable attending due to COVID-19 are asked to submit their input to Darcy Parkman at 306-865-1752 or Hedger 306-768-3030.
