Notice of intent to make a determination

Lac Eauclaire Timber Harvest Program - Public Comments invited

March 1, 2021 - Indigenous Services Canada must determine whether the proposed Lac Eauclaire Timber Harvest Program, located on Pelican Lake IR 191-C is likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects. To help inform this determination, Indigenous Services Canada is inviting comments from the public respecting that determination.

Written comments must be submitted by March 30, 2021 to:

Indigenous Services Canada
SK Region, Environment Unit
1827 Albert Street
Regina, SK S4P 2S9
aadnc.isc-skenv.aandc@canada.ca

The Proposed Project

Pelican Lake First Nations is looking to do some targeted timber harvesting in the Lac EauClaire area creating some fire guards and select logging of mature timber.  With the lakes and Lac EauClaire region being a prized asset to PLFN, utmost care will taken to retain buffers to all the lakes, and maintain the recreational use of these reserve lands.  We have estimated 90,000m3 of timber which is availible to harvest, with an approximate split of 45,000 m3 of softwood, and 45,000 m3 of hardwood.    We look to initiate harvest May 1, 2021, and complete our harvest plan over a couple seasons, completing all operations April 30, 2023.

Preplanning has been ongoing for over 12 months, with Chief and Council, stakeholders, Pelican Resort Board, and Tolko.  Planning committee has given high standards of precaution to the region to create a harvest plan, while maintaining awareness to the lakes, streams, cultural grounds and assets which PLFN has in this region. Standard logging activities will be active through this harvesting program, targeting old growth and looking to retain younger trees for future plans.  Temporary roads will be utilized to extract any timber with attention given to higher ground, avoiding any sensitive regions, creeks, and water bodies.  All harvest areas and roads will be reclaimed and prepared in a manner to enhance regrowth and development. There are multiple water bodies which lie within the greater boundary of the timber harvest area which is outlined.  PLFN will exceed the provincial standards for buffers to waterbodies, looking to maintain upwards of 75 - 100m buffers.

Document Reference Number: 1

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