Crown Forest Sustainability Act, 1994, S.O. 1994, c. 25
Publisher/Sponsor:
Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources
In Ontario, there are more than 70 million hectares of forested land; 90 percent of this area, referred to as “Crown forest” is owned by the Province. About 26 million hectares of Crown forest is managed for a broad range of uses and benefits, including timber production.
The purpose of the Act is to establish guidelines for the management of Crown forests to meet the Province’s social, economic and environmental needs for present and future generations. Generally speaking, the Act is to provide for the sustainability of Crown forests and the long-term health of forest ecosystems.
The Act requires that the Ministry of Natural Resources prepares and maintains a Forest Management Planning Manual. This key document establishes that units of Crown forest be designated as “management units” whose operation is guided by a forest management plan. As directed by the Forest Management Planning Manual, each forest management plan shall, (a) describe the forest management objectives and strategies applicable to the management unit, and (b) have regard to the plant life, animal life, water, soil, air and social and economic values, including recreational values and heritage values, of the management unit.
The Act states the Minister’s option of establishing local citizens’ advisory committees and/or forest management boards to advise the Minister on matters relating to the management of Crown forests, including advising on the preparation of forest management plans. A forest management board may have the added duty of preparing the forest management plan.
Outlined in the Act is the procedure that the Ministry follows for granting licenses for different uses within a forest management area, the most prevalent use being the harvesting of timber. All licenses must be consistent with the respective area’s forest management plan and may be granted for a term of up to 20 years plus a possible 5 year extension, with a review conducted every 5 years to ensure compliance with the terms and conditions of the license. The license specifies such conditions as harvesting limits and the requirement that all trees harvested shall be manufactured in Canada for lumber, pulp or other products.
If, in the opinion of the Minister, forest operations conducted in a Crown forest may cause loss or damage to the forest or may impair its sustainability or is in contravention of the forest management plan, the Minister may (a) direct that the forest operations stop; (b) establish limits or require other changes in the forest operations; (c) amend the forest management plan or work schedule. The Minister can also order license holders to take corrective action to repair any damage or to prevent further damage being done to water, soil, plant life or habitat for animal life.
Penalties for non-compliance with any forest resource licenses can result in actions such as fines, suspension or cancellation of the license, or seizure of equipment and product.
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