Town of Marathon’s Delegation Attending 2013 AMO Conference: Who They Will Meet & Why
MARATHON, ON – The Town of Marathon recently shared the information below regarding attendance at the 2013 AMO Conference August 18 – 21, 2013 by a delegation committee including:
- Mayor Rick Dumas
- Councillor Kelly Tsubouchi
- Councillor Ray Lake
- Brian Tocheri, CAO/Clerk
DELEGATION REQUESTS
1. Honourable James Bradley, Minister of Environment
Monday, August 19, 2013 10:20 – 10:35 a.m.
Matter #1 – Town of Marathon Long-Term Landfill Options
Marathon has been actively seeking a long-term landfill site for 22 years. In a letter to the Honourable Minister, dated May 15, 2012, the Town of Marathon indicated that we are now working with Pic River First Nation in securing a landfill site that meets the respective needs of each community. As you are aware, both Pic River’s and the Town of Marathon’s landfill sites are nearing capacity.
As we anticipate that several developments will have taken place between now and the AMO conference, the Town of Marathon would appreciate the opportunity to discuss with the Minister progress that has been made with respect to identifying an alternative long-term landfill solution.
Matter #2 – Former Marathon Pulp Inc. Property
In April 2012, the owner of the property, Tembec Industries, issued requests for proposals for the sale of the assets of Marathon Pulp Inc. In May 2012, Tembec selected a preferred proponent. The proponent’s business model includes environmental remediation while the site is concurrently redeveloped for industrial purposes. Negotiations with the MOE for authority to transfer the property have concluded and the agreement has been posted on the Environmental Bill of Rights registry for a 30-day public review and comment period.
Although we anticipate that the MPI property will be successfully transferred to SSPM Pontiac, L.P. by the time of the AMO conference, the Town of Marathon would appreciate the opportunity to meet with the Minister to reiterate the opportunities on the economic potential of this site for the benefit of the Province, the residents of the Town of Marathon and the purchasers.
2. Honourable Michael Gravelle, Minister of Northern Development and Mines
Monday, August 19, 2013 2:00 to 2:15 PM
Matter #1 – Marathon’s Long Term Waste Management Options
Marathon has been actively seeking a long-term landfill site for 22 years. After a decision to abandon the Deadhorse Road Site in 2012, the Town of Marathon has been working with Pic River First Nation in securing a landfill site that meets the respective needs of each community. As you are aware, both Pic River’s and the Town of Marathon’s landfill sites are nearing capacity.
As we anticipate that several developments will have taken place between now and the AMO conference, the Town of Marathon would appreciate the opportunity to discuss with the Minister progress that has been made with respect to identifying an alternative long-term landfill solution.
Matter #2 – General Discussion and Update
The Town of Marathon would appreciate the opportunity to update the Minister on others items of local and regional interest, including: the Bearwise Program; Stillwater PGM Mining Development; Marathon Pulp Mill; and Local Forest Management, etc.
3. Honourable David Orazietti, Minister of Natural Resources
MEETING: Monday August 19 3:35 – 3:50 p.m.
Matter #1 – Bear Management Agreement
Prior to the 2012 bear management season, the Town of Marathon was assured $10,000 by the Ministry to manage bears in the community. It was reasoned that Marathon is in a unique situation; its landfill is located in the middle of town and there is no MNR office/response in the community. When an agreement from the MNR was finally received in August of 2012, the majority of the municipality’s bear management responsibilities had been completed costing well over $10,000. The terms of the agreement allowed the municipality to recover only a fraction of the $10,000 committed and so the municipality did not sign it opting instead to discuss the terms further with the Ministry. The $10,000 commitment remains outstanding.
The municipality has met with MNR personnel over the past several months in an effort to resolve the 2012 issue as well as agree on steps to manage the 2013 bear season. We were advised that a mutually beneficial agreement was forthcoming. The agreement has been received but the Town is reluctant to sign it as it has not addressed any of our outstanding concerns.
The Town of Marathon would appreciate the opportunity to again discuss this outstanding issue with the Minister.
Matter #2 – Nawiinginokiima Forest Management Corporation (NFMC) progress
Purpose
- Support for Nawiinginokiima Forest Management Corporation (NFMC)
- Counter negative comments from forest industry
- Encourage the issuance of a Sustainable Forest Licence for NFMC
- Remind Minister of the inclusion of White River and Nagagami Forests; communities already represented on the Board
Background
- The economic recession has had a significant impact on Ontario’s forestry sector and Northern Ontario’s economy. Permanent shutdowns of mills, closure of forestry-related businesses and bankruptcies left forest-dependent communities in Northern Ontario struggling and challenged to survive.
- Due to bankruptcies, three of the management units have already been returned to the Crown. This has created significant challenges for MNR to meet the forest management obligations related to these management units and provide for continuity of operations. NFMC is considered to be a viable long-term solution to ensure the forests continue to be managed sustainably and provide for economic benefits in the region. NFMC has begun silviculture programs that would have otherwise been at risk of not being completed.
- The establishment of NFMC has been developed in conjunction with advice and support from a local stakeholder group. It was comprised of representatives from each of the local and First Nations communities within the proposed management area (Pic River First Nation, Pic Mobert First Nation, Hornepayne First Nation, Marathon, Manitouwadge, White River and Hornepayne), representatives from the relevant current SFL holders (White River Forest Products, Nagagami Forest Management Inc.) and MNR staff. This Working Group met regularly until the Ontario Forest Tenure Modernization Act came into force in June, 2011.
- One of the key objectives of tenure modernization and the primary interest of the Working Group partners was to promote greater local community and Aboriginal involvement in the management of local forests to ensure that decision-making reflects the interests of those that live within or near the management area. The recently appointed Board of Directors, represented by the above communities, is committed to the objects set forth under the Act.
Key Messages
- It is a pleasure meeting you and having the opportunity to speak with you about how the Town of Marathon views the establishment of NMFC.
- We certainly supported its establishment in this area right from the beginning. We believe that we, along with the other communities and aboriginal communities, will derive economic benefits as the corporation expands its operations and mandate.
- As the first Local Forest Management Corporation (LFMC), we do want to see the management of the Big Pic, Pic River, White River and Nagagami Forests flourish and grow.
- Although a first, the concept of cooperative management is not new. Algonquin Forest Authority is a good example (38 years old). Also Westwind, Timiskaming, Nipissing and Vermillion Forests are all managed using this model for more than 15 years. It is not as common in the northwest.
- Keeping in mind that the corporation is very much still in its infancy stage, operations on the ground started in April. No small task considering the changes that are being brought forward. I know that the staff and Board members are taking every opportunity to meet with all the players involved, including industry.
- The Town of Marathon received positive news from the Chair recently when we were informed that we had submitted the successful bid to host the NFMC main office. We’re very excited about this. We have in fact begun discussions with the Interim General Manager regarding a lease agreement. We’re targeting September or October to have staff move in.
- We are interested in applying to NOHFC to assist with renovations required to accommodate the NFMC office within the existing Visitor Information Centre on Highway 17. The local Northern Development Officer of MNDM is working with the General Manager of the Marathon EDC to prepare the application.
- As you probably know, your colleague Minister Gravelle, met recently with the Chair and Interim GM from the NFMC regarding an update on the progress of the organization.
- From our perspective, this model will help community economic development by providing for: local decision-making; real opportunities for First Nations; and full utilization of the wood. Those opportunities would not be there otherwise.
- It’s also an opportunity to move on the Province’s agenda to make wood available in a more “open market” fashion. Developing strategies that will save forest industry money is another key element (e.g. Forest Stewardship Certification (FSC) opens up markets to the industry, re-alignment of road corridors decreases hauling costs).
- It’s also exciting to look ahead. In the near term, FSC certification, in partnership with AVTB, will benefit industry. In the long term, LFMC could grow opportunities for forest resources (e.g. carbon credits may be an opportunity in the future).
- The Town of Marathon will continue to work with NFMC to grow the local economy.
