FMP Volume 1 – Background Information Document Version 1...FMP Volume 1 – Background Information Document Version 1.0 Carrier Forest Products Ltd. Page | ii 4.3.1 NW TSL Forest

FMP Volume 1 – Background Information Document Version 1.0

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Table of Contents

1.0 Introduction ................................................................................................................................5

2.0 Information Gathering .................................................................................................................5 2.1 Provincial Sources of Direction ........................................................................................................ 5

2.1.1 Provincial Standards ................................................................................................................ 5 2.1.2 Integrated Forest Land Use Plans ............................................................................................ 6 2.1.3 Representative Areas Network ................................................................................................ 6 2.1.4 Resource Management Plans .................................................................................................. 7

2.2 Monitoring Program Reports ........................................................................................................... 8 2.3 Sustainable Forest Management Audit Report ............................................................................... 9 2.4 Comments from Stakeholder and Aboriginal Groups ...................................................................... 9

3.0 Licence-Specific Information ....................................................................................................... 10 3.1 Location of Licence Area ................................................................................................................ 10 3.2 Biophysical Description .................................................................................................................. 11

3.2.1 Forest Vegetation .................................................................................................................. 11 3.2.2 Lakes ...................................................................................................................................... 11 3.2.3 Climate ................................................................................................................................... 12 3.2.4 Ecozones, Ecoregions and Ecodistricts .................................................................................. 12 3.2.5 Geology .................................................................................................................................. 16 3.2.6 Landforms .............................................................................................................................. 16 3.2.7 Soils ........................................................................................................................................ 17 3.2.8 Watersheds ............................................................................................................................ 20

3.3 Other Land Uses and Values .......................................................................................................... 21 3.3.1 Wildlife ................................................................................................................................... 21 3.3.2 Fish ......................................................................................................................................... 22 3.3.3 Hunting and Trapping ............................................................................................................ 23 3.3.4 Traditional Land Use .............................................................................................................. 26 3.3.5 Archaeological, Cultural and Heritage Sites .......................................................................... 27 3.3.6 Non-Timber Forest Products ................................................................................................. 28 3.3.7 Recreational Activities ........................................................................................................... 28 3.3.8 Grazing ................................................................................................................................... 28 3.3.9 Visually Sensitive Areas ......................................................................................................... 28 3.3.10 Species at Risk ........................................................................................................................ 29 3.3.11 Mineral Dispositions .............................................................................................................. 31 3.3.12 Oil and Gas Exploration ......................................................................................................... 31 3.3.13 Land Dispositions and Leases ................................................................................................ 31 3.3.14 Linear Developments ............................................................................................................. 31

3.4 Community and Social Profile ........................................................................................................ 33 3.4.1 Human Population ................................................................................................................. 33 3.4.2 Educational Achievement ...................................................................................................... 35 3.4.3 Employment ........................................................................................................................... 37 3.4.4 Income ................................................................................................................................... 38 3.4.5 Community and Social Profile Summary ............................................................................... 39

4.0 Licensee Description .................................................................................................................. 40 4.1 Independent Operators ................................................................................................................. 40 4.2 Forest Management Principles and Certification .......................................................................... 41 4.3 Northern Saskatchewan Forest Sector Economic Profile .............................................................. 42


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4.3.1 NW TSL Forest Sector Economic Profile ................................................................................ 47

5.0 Current Forest Conditions .......................................................................................................... 48 5.1 Landbase Summary ........................................................................................................................ 48 5.2 Forest Attributes ............................................................................................................................ 49 5.3 Natural Disturbance ....................................................................................................................... 54

5.3.1 Fire ......................................................................................................................................... 54 5.3.2 Windthrow ............................................................................................................................. 58 5.3.3 Insects and Disease ................................................................................................................ 59 5.3.4 Links to Forest Management ................................................................................................. 61

5.4 Forest Management Activities ....................................................................................................... 61 5.4.1 Forest Renewal ...................................................................................................................... 67 5.4.2 Access Development .............................................................................................................. 69

5.5 Work with Stakeholder, Community and Aboriginal Groups ........................................................ 70 5.6 Significant Changes Expected to Affect Wood Supply and Forest Management Practices ........... 70

6.0 Historical Review of the Licence Area ......................................................................................... 72 6.1 Licence History ............................................................................................................................... 72 6.2 Inventory and Growth & Yield Program ........................................................................................ 72

7.0 Literature Cited .......................................................................................................................... 73

8.0 List of Acronyms ........................................................................................................................ 75

Issues and Concerns Tracking Table ............................................................................ 76 Appendix A

Public Meeting Sessions Table ................................................................................... 77 Appendix B


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List of Tables

Table 1 Historical Weather Station data 1981 - 2010 .......................................................................... 12 Table 2 Ecoregions Area Summary ...................................................................................................... 14 Table 3 Species Hunted and Trapped in the NW TSL ........................................................................... 24 Table 4 Species at Risk (NW TSL).......................................................................................................... 30 Table 5 Population data from Statistics Canada 2001, 2006, and 2011 Census .................................. 34 Table 6 Population Characteristics from Statistics Canada 2011 Census Period ................................. 35 Table 7 Education Levels from Statistics Canada 2011 Census Period ................................................ 37 Table 8 Labour Force Activity from Statistics Canada 2011 Census Period ......................................... 38 Table 9 MLS average residential resale price ....................................................................................... 39 Table 10 Economic Data from 2006 and 2011 Census Periods .............................................................. 39 Table 11 Third-party Operator Allocations in the NW TSL ..................................................................... 40 Table 12 Licence Area Land Summary ................................................................................................... 48 Table 13 Description of Provincial Forest Types in Saskatchewan ........................................................ 49 Table 14 Area by Provincial Forest Type and Seral Stage ...................................................................... 49 Table 15 Area Affected by Natural Disturbances ................................................................................... 54 Table 16 Fire size distribution for the FMA area (1964 -2010 ) ............................................................ 57 Table 17 Historical Harvest by PFT and Seral Stage ............................................................................... 66 Table 18 Road Specifications for the NW TSL ........................................................................................ 69 Table 19 Existing Roadswithin the NW TSL ............................................................................................ 70

List of Figures

Figure 1 Boreal Caribou Distribution and Status (2012 Federal Recovery Strategy) .............................. 8 Figure 2 Location of the Northwest TSL ................................................................................................ 10 Figure 3 Productive Forest within the NW TSL Area ............................................................................. 11 Figure 4 Ecoregions and Ecodistricts in NW TSL area ........................................................................... 14 Figure 5 Mid Boreal Upland Ecoregion.................................................................................................. 15 Figure 6 Churchill River Ecoregion ........................................................................................................ 15 Figure 7 Parent Soil Mode of Deposition .............................................................................................. 16 Figure 8 Local Surface Forms Covering the NW TSL .............................................................................. 17 Figure 9 Soil Development Showing the Dominant Great Groups ........................................................ 18 Figure 10 Soil Productivity Zone by Class ................................................................................................ 20 Figure 11 Watersheds Covering the NW TSL........................................................................................... 21 Figure 12 Commercial Outfitter Angling Licences in the NW TSL ........................................................... 23 Figure 13 Fur Blocks within the NW TSL .................................................................................................. 24 Figure 14 Outfitter Licence Boundaries in the NW TSL for Bear, Mule Deer, and Moose ...................... 25 Figure 15 Traditional Use Areas for the NW TSL ..................................................................................... 26 Figure 16 Non-timber Dispositions on the NW TSL ................................................................................. 31 Figure 17 Roads, trails and other linear Developments within the NW TSL ........................................... 32 Figure 18 Saskatchewan aggregate allowable vs actual historical timber harvesting levels .................. 43 Figure 19 Provincial Historical Harvest Levels by Management Unit...................................................... 44 Figure 20 Saskatchewan Forest Industry Employment 2004-2013 ......................................................... 45 Figure 21 Saskatchewan Forest Product Sales ........................................................................................ 46 Figure 22 Provincial Forest Products Exports .......................................................................................... 46 Figure 23 Productive Forest Area by PFT and Seral Stage....................................................................... 50 Figure 24 Productive Forest by Seral Stage in the NW TSL ..................................................................... 51


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Figure 25 Productive Forest by PFT in the NW TSL ................................................................................. 52 Figure 26 Productive Forest Area by Species Type in the NW TSL .......................................................... 53 Figure 27 Location of fires greater than 100 ha from 1964 - 2010 ......................................................... 56 Figure 28 Annual Area Burned 1964-2010 .............................................................................................. 56 Figure 29 Area Disturbed from Fire by Provincial Forest Type and Seral Stage 1964-2010 .................. 57 Figure 30 Area Disturbed from Insects by Provincial Forest Type and Seral Stage 2001-2013 .............. 59 Figure 31 Locations of Spruce Budworm and Windthrow Disturbances from 2001 - 2013 ................... 60 Figure 32 Locations of Historical Harvest (NW) in NW TSL (2001 to 2014) ........................................... 62 Figure 33 Locations of Historical Harvest (NE) in NW TSL (2001 to 2014) .............................................. 63 Figure 34 Locations of Historical Harvest (SE) in NW TSL (2001 to 2014) ............................................... 64 Figure 35 Locations of Historical Harvest (SW) in NW TSL (2001 to 2014) ............................................. 65 Figure 36 Results of 2013 Silviculture Surveys in NW TSL ....................................................................... 68


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1.0 Introduction Carrier Forest Products Ltd. is working on the development of a 20-year Forest Management Plan (FMP) for the Northwest Term Supply Licence (TSL). Carrier was assigned the Northwest TSL on November 1, 2014.

FMPs are prepared for tenured forest areas in Saskatchewan to establish the strategic direction of forest resource management for a 20-year timeframe. An FMP process results in the completion of three primary products, typically occurring, over a two-year period.

1. Volume I Document – provides background and contextual information on the TSL area and describes historical management practices.

2. Volume II Documents – a collection of foundation documents supporting the planning process: a. Planning Inventory b. Growth & Yield Projections c. SGRs and Transitions Rules d. VOITs e. Modeling Assumptions f. Forest Estate Modeling - Scenario Forecasts

3. A Volume III Document that describes the forest management plan: a. Selected Management Strategy b. Tactical Plan (20-yr harvest sequence plus reserved areas) c. Implementation Strategies

Once the Volume III is approved by the Minister of Environment, the FMP process shifts into implementation and monitoring which includes annual reports to the public.

2.0 Information Gathering

2.1 Provincial Sources of Direction The Forest Management Planning Document (FMPD) provides the primary direction for the development of Forest Management Plans (FMP) in the province (Sask. Min. Env., 2007) but is currently in the process of being replaced. This Volume 1 document anticipates the requirements of the new Forest Management Planning Standard as it is expected that the bulk of this FMP process will occur under the new standard.

Provincial Standards 2.1.1The Ministry of Environment (ministry) has implemented a results-based regulatory (RBR) model to help achieve its vision of providing public service excellence in protecting the environment and promoting sustainable use of natural resources to enhance economic and social benefits. Under RBR the ministry, in consultation with stakeholders, defines the expected environmental outcomes, but leaves the specific methods on how to achieve those outcomes up to the regulated community. To support the RBR model, the ministry has made legislative changes, reallocated resources and invested in information technology and management (http://www.environment.gov.sk.ca/Regulations/). At the heart of the legislative framework supporting RBR is the Saskatchewan Environmental Code (http://www.environment.gov.sk.ca/Code). The Environmental Code was adopted by the province November 3, 2014 and the code chapters applicable to



forest management were proclaimed on January 5, 2015: 1) Forest Regeneration Assessment, 2) Forest Data Submission, 3) Forest Operating Plan, 4) Forest Products Scaling, 5) Forest Management Planning.

The remainder of the code was proclaimed in June 2015 (chapters related to air, land and water protection, industrial and municipal activities.

Integrated Forest Land Use Plans 2.1.2The Forest Resources Management Act (Section 14) states that the purpose of an Integrated Forest Land Use Plan (IFLUP) is to co-ordinate policies, programs and activities to guide and regulate existing and potential uses of land within a management unit. The Pinehouse Dipper IFLUP was initiated in 1999 and background documents were published on the Ministry of Environment’s website in 2000 and 2003.1 The area covered by the IFLUP includes much of the TSL area but only managed to produce a Draft IFLUP document in 2011 – it was never approved and has no legal effect. However, it does provide guidance to the FMP process on areas of special places, tourism, traditional uses, interaction between timber and non-timber forest uses such as trapping, recreation, and wild rice production. The Draft Plan provides recommendations such as:

Use zoning to identify areas as protected, sensitive, or resource management (no mapping of zones completed)

Incorporating protected areas in the provinces Representative Areas Network Buffers on the Messinghigan River and Churchill River to limit development activities Using the Land Use Planning Board to enhance consultation processes, ensuring trappers are

engaged in consultation processes Retaining trees in harvested areas to mimic wildfire patterns, and maintaining biodiversity Using visually sensitive management in recreation areas Developing an Access Management Plan Using fire to assist with regeneration, and reporting to communities on silviculture activities Consideration of traditional use knowledge documented in the 2001-2003 study Consider habitat needs of species of concern (caribou, northern leopard frog, short-eared owl,

whooping crane, Anatum Peregrine Falcon)

Where applicable Carrier Forest Products intends to follow these above recommendations.

Representative Areas Network 2.1.3Representative Areas Network’s (RANs) are broad areas of ecological diversity that are selected to represent Saskatchewan’s natural features and diversity. The RANs are intended to conserve representative and unique landscapes throughout the 11 Ecoregions of the province and maintain ecosystems that support native biological diversity2. Saskatchewan continues in the process of establishing this network of ecologically important land and water areas across the province that will complement all of the existing parks, ecological reserves, wildlife lands and other reserves. 1 http://www.environment.gov.sk.ca/Default.aspx?DN=55f98775-7b15-4ea1-a81c-4324fae7bb15 2 Saskatchewan’s 2013 State of the Environment Report 2 Saskatchewan’s 2013 State of the Environment Report



There are no RAN’s within the TSL area but several exist just to the south in the Prince Albert FMA (Budd Lake and Caribou Flats RAN).

Resource Management Plans 2.1.4

2.1.4.1 Churchill River Watershed – Source Water Protection Plan Currently there is no Source Water Protection Plan for the Churchill River Watershed. Watershed Protection Plans are developed co-operatively by Watershed Advisory Committees established in each watershed planning area, the Saskatchewan Watershed Authority and its successor, the Water Security Agency (www.wsask.ca). The membership of the Watershed Advisory Committees includes representatives from urban and rural municipalities, First Nations, industry, environmental and agricultural interest organizations. These plans identify the threats to source water in the Watershed and recommends key actions to address those threats. Watershed issues specific to the Northwest TSL are discussed in Section 3.2.8 below.

2.1.4.2 Fisheries Management Plan The Fisheries Management Plan released by the Ministry of Environment provides a framework for maintaining and building upon the significant values and benefits of the provincial fishery. This plan will apply to fisheries management in the Northwest TSL and will work towards ensuring the fishery remains viable.

2.1.4.3 Woodland Caribou Recovery Strategy The Committee of the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) classified the Boreal Woodland Caribou as a “threatened” species in 2002 under the Species at Risk Act (SARA). As a result of this classification, Environment Canada began working on a recovery strategy for the Boreal Woodland Caribou, and then released its “Proposed Recovery Strategy for the Woodland Caribou, Boreal Population, in Canada” on August 26, 2011 and a Final Recovery Strategy document in 2012.3 Saskatchewan’s Ministry of Environment put a Woodland Caribou Management Team in place in 2002 that has been working to develop and refine recovery strategies since that time. They are currently working to deliver a provincial strategy (habitat zone maps and management guidance) in response to the federal government’s 2012 Recovery Strategy that did not yet have herd trend data for Saskatchewan and some other provinces.

The federal document indicates that there are two caribou ranges in Saskatchewan. The southern (Boreal Plain) range is identified as being ‘As Likely As Not’ to have self-sustaining populations, while the northern (Boreal Shield) range’s ability to sustain a Caribou population is unknown due to a lack of data (Figure 1). The Northwest TSL is almost entirely in the Southern Range (SK2).

3 http://www.sararegistry.gc.ca/document/default_e.cfm?documentID=2253



Figure 1 Boreal Caribou Distribution and Status (2012 Federal Recovery Strategy)

2.2 Monitoring Program Reports The Provincial Forest Management Effects Monitoring Program was implemented in the late 1990’s as part of the Province’s adaptive management strategy for forest management. The Minister established a “Scientific Advisory Board” to review and propose standards, develop measurement protocols and methods to produce an ecologically and scientifically appropriate monitoring framework to assess the long-term effects of forest management activities on the health of the provincial forest ecosystem.

Learning from the program was used in the development of both Provincial and FMA Standards and Guidelines. Data collected has also been used by the scientific and academic community to aid in additional studies.

The Monitoring Program was suspended in 2007 as recommended by the “Minister's Task Force Report on Forest Sector Competitiveness” (Government of Saskatchewan, 2006). Licensees have not been required to collect monitoring information since.

The future direction for Monitoring in Saskatchewan is being reviewed by the Forest Service Branch. “In an effort to address the concerns of the Minister’s Task Force Report Recommendation and growing concerns for environmental monitoring data suitable for the Northwest Strategy, a proposal to develop an Integrated Forest Ecosystem Monitoring Program was prepared and submitted to Forest Service branch management



and executive on June 24, 2009.” 4 The proposal outlined the business case, proposed program objectives, program features, structure, implementation schedule, area of deployment, and estimation of required resources. No decision on the implementation of this proposal has occurred yet. At this time there is no expectation that licensees would need to engage in scientific studies or monitoring programs as it will be a government responsibility. The licensee will provide input, as required, into scientific study undertaken by the Ministry. The annual report compiled by the licensee will also provide a basis for monitoring of forest management activities.

2.3 Sustainable Forest Management Audit Report Section 35 of the Forest Resources Management Regulations requires FMA holders to ensure that an independent sustainable forest management audit is done approximately every five years. A Section 35 Audit is not required as the area is currently administered as a Term Supply Licence with the expectation of being converted to a FMA once the FMP has been approved.

2.4 Comments from Stakeholder and Aboriginal Groups Public Stakeholder sessions have been held in the communities of Beauval, Buffalo Narrows, Ile-a-la-Crosse, La Ronge, Patuanak, Prince Albert and Pinehouse. Comments received from the public, stakeholders and First Nations are summarized in Appendix A.

4 pers. comm., Michael McLaughlin, Forest Ecologist, Forest Service Branch, December 8, 2014



3.0 Licence-Specific Information

3.1 Location of Licence Area The Northwest TSL is located west of community of La Ronge. The extents of the TSL range from 55o1’42”N to 56o3’21”N in latitude and 106o30’39”W to 108o23’9”W in longtitude (GCS_WGS_1984 datum). This area is located at the northern reaches of the boreal plain forest. Common commercial tree species are trembling aspen, jack pine, black and white spruce, balsam fir, balsam poplar, and white birch. The total area (land, water, swamp) of the TSL is 777,872 hectares with approximately 370,972 being forested. The communities of Beauval, Green lake, Patuanak, Pinehouse, Buffalo Narrows, Île-à-la-Crosse and La Loche are located in or near the TSL area. The communities of Big River, Meadow Lake, and Prince Albert will also benefit from forest management activities in the NW TSL area.

Figure 2 Location of the Northwest TSL



3.2 Biophysical Description

Forest Vegetation 3.2.1The Northwest TSL encompasses 777,872 ha with approximately 370,972 ha being considered productive forest (Figure 3). Approximately 367,470 ha of this area is productive forest available for forest management (e.g. Not in Parks, Recreation Areas, Indian Reserves, Patent Lands, etc.).

Figure 3 Productive Forest within the NW TSL Area

The TSL is located in the boreal forest in Saskatchewan and is comprised of upland forest, muskeg, brush land, rock and water. The upland forest is the area suitable for timber production and is a patchwork of different vegetation types and ages. Patches are created by both variation in site growing conditions that favour different vegetation types, and by the effects of fire which creates stands of different ages. The commercial tree species in the NW TSL are jack pine, black spruce, white spruce, balsam fir, trembling aspen, balsam poplar, and white birch.

Lakes 3.2.2Lakes are a dominant feature across the Saskatchewan landscape and make up a significant area of the TSL. Major lakes in the area include Peter Pond Lake, Churchill Lake, Lac Île-à-la-Crosse, Pinehouse Lake, Lac La Plonge, Besnard Lake, and Canoe Lake.



Climate 3.2.3The climate of the Northwest TSL is characterized by a humid, moderately cold to very cold, continental climate with long cold winters and warm summers. Historical weather station data (Table 1) for population centers indicate nominal fluctuations from north to south around the TSL. The climate of the Mid- Boreal Upland Ecoregion which makes up the majority of the TSL is described as having a predominantly sub-humid mid-boreal ecoclimate. The mean annual precipitation ranges from 400-550mm.

Table 1 Historical Weather Station data 1981 - 2010

Location Avg. July Temp (°c)

Avg. January Temp (°c)

Avg. Precipitation July (mm)

Avg. Precipitation Jan (mm)

Buffalo Narrows 17.7 -17.5 80.1 20.6 La Ronge 17.2 -18.8 80.5 18.7 Meadow Lake 16.7 -17.2 75.2 15.7 Canadian Climate Normals 1981-2010 Station Data http://climate.weather.gc.ca/climate_normals/index_e.html

Future climate simulations to the end of the 21st century (2080-2099) project increased annual temperature and precipitation over the TSL. Annual averages for temperatures and precipitation are projected to increase about 3.0 to 3.5oC and 5 to 10%, respectively. For winter, a 3.5 to 4.0oC warming and 10% to 15% increase in precipitation are projected, and for summer, a 3.0 to 3.5oC warming and 0% to 5% increase in precipitation are projected5. This implies a lengthened growing season, leading to an overall increase in forest productivity but also a likely increase in natural disturbance (e.g. forest fires and pests)6.

Ecozones, Ecoregions and Ecodistricts 3.2.4The TSL area overlaps two Ecozones, the Boreal Shield and Boreal Plain, which share the same boundary as their subdivisions, the Mid-Boreal Upland and Churchill River Upland Ecoregions (Figure 4) 7. Ecoregions each have a particular climate, soil or landform structure that determines the types of forest and productivity found within them. These regions are further subdivided into Ecodistricts reflecting local variations of the same factors and often expressed with distinctive vegetation. The Ecodistricts of the TSL are shown in Figure 4 below.

The area occupied by each Ecoregion is described in

5 University of Saskatchewan – Impacts of Climate Change on Saskatchewan’s Water Resources 6 University of Regina (PARC) – Climate Scenarios for Saskatchewan (2009) 7 2012 Saskatchewan Conservation Data Center / Canadian Plains Research Center (Ecoregions of Saskatchewan 1998)



Table 2. The bulk of the TSL area (86.4%) is within the Mid-Boreal Upland Ecoregion. This region is south of the Canadian Shield and is characterized by an ascending sequence of steeply sloping, eroding escarpments, hilly glacial till plains and level plateau-like tops. The intervening areas are comparatively level, with large, sparsely treed peat land being common. The Churchill River Upland Ecoregion is part of the Boreal Shield Ecozone.



Table 2 Ecoregions Area Summary Ecozone Ecoregion Hectares in

TSL Area Percent of TSL Area by Ecoregion

Percent of Ecoregion Within TSL

Boreal Shield Churchill River Upland 105,818 13.6 0.9 Boreal Plain Mid-Boreal Upland 672,765 86.4 6.6

Figure 4 Ecoregions and Ecodistricts in NW TSL area



The Ecoregions within the NW TSL are described below: The largest Ecoregion in the TSL is the Mid-Boreal Upland and is a major timber producing region of the province. The upland areas form part of the continuous mid-boreal mixed coniferous and deciduous forest. Forested zones consisting of white and black spruce, jack pine, and balsam fir with a mixture of trembling aspen and balsam poplar dominate this Ecoregion. The landscape is characterized by steep escarpments, rolling glacial till plains and level plateaus. In amongst these features are relatively level large peat land areas. The dominant soil structure is characterized by loamy to sandy loam soils.

Figure 5 Mid Boreal Upland Ecoregion

The Churchill River Upland Ecoregion is located in the northeast edge of the TSL and is characterized by a mix of bedrock, glacial deposits, wetlands and lakes. Up to 40% of this Ecoregion is covered by lakes that are typically long and narrow and orientated in a northeast-southwest direction. The dominant vegetation cover consists of black spruce and jack pine with distribution of these species being dependent on drainage, surficial materials and climate. Soil structure is primarily sandy with sporadic clay deposits and low lying peat land areas.

Figure 6 Churchill River Ecoregion



Geology 3.2.5The Northwest TSL is primarily located over sedimentary rock that makes up the Western Canada Sedimentary Basin. The northeastern edge of the TSL (Churchill River Upland Ecoregion, Figure 4 ) is part of the Canadian Shield and is comprised from Metamorphic and Intrusive rock formations.

Landforms 3.2.6Most major landforms of Saskatchewan were created by the deposition and erosion of sediments and rock by water and ice during the glacial and immediate postglacial periods (Figure 7). The general landform composition that makes up the Northwest TSL is a flat hummocky landscape intermixed with lakes, wetlands and rivers (Figure 8).

Figure 7 Parent Soil Mode of Deposition



Figure 8 Local Surface Forms Covering the NW TSL

Soils 3.2.7Soils and soil landforms within the Northwest TSL are determined to a large degree by the manner in which the soils were deposited after the last glaciation. Morainal (undulating) deposition is the most common, with fluvioglacial (glacial outwash), eolian (windblown), and lacustrine (lake bottom) depositions occurring on smaller areas.

The upland areas that dominate the TSL area consist of deep, loamy to clayey-textured glacial till, lacustrine deposits, and inclusions of coarse fluvioglacial deposits. Rougher moraine deposits with a large number of small lakes, ponds, and sloughs occupy shallow depressions. Permafrost is very rare and only found in peat lands. Well-drained gray Luvisolic soils are dominant in the region. Significant inclusions are peaty Gleysols and Mesisols that occupy poorly drained depressions. Eutric Brunisols are associated with sandy uplands. 8 Figure 9 displays the soil great groups occurring within the TSL. Figure 10 displays the soil productivity zone by class. A description of the soil types (based on great groups and order) is provided below9.

8 University of Saskatchewan – Ecoregions of Saskatchewan; 9 Soils of Saskatchewan - University of Saskatchewan



Figure 9 Soil Development Showing the Dominant Great Groups



Luvisols

Luvisolic soils are the dominant soils group of Central Saskatchewan. They occur on loamy glacial till deposits throughout this region. The glacial deposits are derived from sedimentary rocks and have an abundant supply of base cations such as calcium and magnesium. They typically have a grayish, sandy or silty Ae horizon overlying a B horizon that has higher clay content than either the Ae or the C horizon. The C horizon of the Luvisolics usually contains calcium carbonate (lime). When scarified the surface Ae horizon is exposed and the soils often have a grayish appearance and hence this region is known as the Gray soil zone in Saskatchewan.

Brunisols

Brunisolic soils are Boreal forest soils that primarily develop in sandy glacial sediments. Sand is resistant to transformation by weathering and these soils have undergone very limited soil formation. The diagnostic horizon is the Bm horizon, which has undergone only slight chemical change from the original parent material although it may have a bright red colour compared to the underlying C horizon. The sandy glacial sediments contained little or no calcium carbonate and hence carbonate rich C horizons are rare in the Brunisolic soils.

Eutric Brunisol soils occur primarily on glacio-fluvial sand parent materials in Central Saskatchewan of the boundary with the Canadian Shield. The pH of the soils is neutral or basic (i.e., greater than 5.5). The sand deposits may also occur as small inclusions in the glacial till uplands in this region.

Mesisols

The three Great Groups of the Organic Order found in Saskatchewan are based on the degree of decomposition of the middle tier (i.e., from 40 to 120 cm thickness of the peat). The degree of decomposition can be assessed in the field using the Van Post Scale of Decomposition. Mesisols consist of organic soils of which the material in the middle layer is in an intermediate stage of decomposition between fibric and humic.

Water-saturated conditions of wetlands in the forested regions of Saskatchewan commonly lead to the formation of layers of organic matter or peat. Where the high organic content (i.e., > 17% organic carbon) layer is greater than 60-cm thick (if fibrous) or 40-cm thick (if it is more decomposed), the soils are classified into the Organic Order. In Saskatchewan, organic soils occur in two main types of peat lands. Fens are dominated by sedges and brown mosses, and the water is high in dissolved base ions (e.g. calcium, magnesium); bogs are dominated by sphagnum and woody peat and the water has a low base cation content.



Figure 10 Soil Productivity Zone by Class

Watersheds 3.2.8The largest watershed basin associated within the Northwest TSL is the Churchill River basin. The four-character sub-basins within the TSL as defined by Environment Canada through the Prairie Farm and Restoration Program are the Beaver River and Churchill River watersheds (Figure 11).

The largest watershed is the Churchill River watershed located in the east half of the TSL. Its headwaters are in the interior plains of east-central Alberta and in the Boreal Plains and Boreal Shield of west-central Saskatchewan10. The Churchill River flows north east into the Hudson Bay. The lake storage within the basin serves to control flows, generally resulting in continuous flow throughout the entire year. The only significant dam is near Sandy Bay, towards the Manitoba border, but it has a relatively small reservoir storage capacity.

The Beaver River, the main tributary to the Churchill River, originates in east-central Alberta and flows north east to enter the Churchill River at Lac Île-à-la-Crosse. Green Lake, Cowan Lake, Doré Lake and Lac la Plonge are all contributors to Beaver River.

10 The Encyclopedia of Saskatchewan – University of Regina



Figure 11 Watersheds Covering the NW TSL

3.3 Other Land Uses and Values

Wildlife 3.3.1The TSL’s forested land, water, plants and ecological processes provide habitat for an array of wildlife species. Common wildlife species found in the TSL include moose, woodland caribou, white-tailed deer, elk, black bear, timber wolf, lynx, snowshoe hare, beaver, and muskrat.

Over two hundred bird species use the NW TSL as breeding, staging and/or wintering habitat. Some of the more common species include11:

Alder Flycatcher Broad-Winged Hawk Great Gray Owl Ring-Billed Gull American Bittern Canada Goose Great-Horned Owl Ring-Necked Duck American Coot Canvasback Hairy Woodpecker Semipalmated Sandpiper American Kestrel Caspian Tern Horned Lark Solitary Sandpiper American White Pelican Cliff Swallow Killdeer Spruce Grouse American Wigeon Common Goldeneye Least Sandpiper Tree Swallow Bald Eagle Common Loon Osprey Tundra Swan Black Tern Golden Eagle Pectoral Sandpiper Whiskey Jack Pileated Woodpecker Gray Jay Black-Backed Woodpecker Yellow-Bellied Sapsucker Blue Jay Great Blue Heron Red-Tailed Hawk

11Saskatchewan Bird Atlas, Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment, http://gisweb1.serm.gov.sk.ca/imf/imf.jsp?site=birds



Additionally, there are 12 species of birds that have been identified as being of special concern in the NW TSL:

Bank Swallow Common Nighthawk Olive-Sided Flycatcher Short-eared Owl Barn Swallow Eskimo Curlew Peregrine Falcon Whooping Crane Canadian Warbler Horned Grebe Rusty Blackbird Yellow Rail

The Migratory Birds Convention Act (MBCA) of 1994 protects most of the migratory birds located in Canada and works in conjunction with the Migratory Birds Convention of 1916 between Canada and the USA. Environment Canada holds the responsibility to develop and implement policies and regulations to ensure the protection of migratory birds, theirs eggs and nests identified in the Convention. The Canadian Wildlife Service branch of Environment Canada administers the MBCA.

Enforcement of the MBCA in Saskatchewan is coordinated by the Wildlife Enforcement Directorate of Environment Canada in cooperation with Environment Canada Game Officers, Government of Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and provincial law enforcement agencies. (Environment Canada, 2015)

The wildlife serves as a source of income for trappers and big game outfitters, food for domestic resource harvesters and enjoyment for sport hunters and wildlife observers. Wildlife harvesting for food and clothing by the area’s traditional inhabitants is among the oldest human activity in the forest. Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment is responsible for overall management of the TSL’s wildlife resources and the allocation of rights to harvest and use these resources.

Fish 3.3.2About 15% of the TSL area consists of water. The area’s lakes and rivers support domestic, commercial, sport and tourist-based fishing opportunities.

Domestic (subsistence) fishing provides an important food source for Saskatchewan’s Aboriginal communities. First Nations and Métis people have the right to hunt and fish for food as written in treaties and guaranteed in the Natural Resources Transfer Agreement. These rights are protected in the Canadian Constitution and are given priority in resource allocation over all other users.

Commercial fishing in the NW TSL is an important industry in northern Saskatchewan. About 49 lakes and rivers near or within the NW TSL are commercially harvested. There are 31 commercial fishing licences issued for lakes within the NW TSL. Important commercial fishing lakes include Dipper, Lac Ile-á-la-Crosse, Lac la Plonge, and Pinehouse lakes. The main commercial fish species harvested are whitefish, northern pike, walleye and lake trout. Other species that are taken include cisco and burbot.12.

Sport fishing has been a major recreational activity in and around the TSL since the 1960’s when roads opened many lakes in the area. Pike, walleye, perch and lake trout are among the most popular sport fishing species in the region. In addition to personal enjoyment, recreational fishing provides income and employment to fishing outfitters.

12 Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment – The Saskatchewan Fishery; History and Current Status 2006



Figure 12 Commercial Outfitter Angling Licences in the NW TSL

Hunting and Trapping 3.3.3Trapping and trading for furs was the first commercial activity in the NW TSL. Over the years, significant changes have occurred in the regulation of trapping and in the role and importance of trapping to the economy of the aboriginal people in northern Saskatchewan.

There are currently 5 individual Fur Conservation Areas (FCA’s) within the NW TSL which are contained within the Northern Fur Conservation Block (Figure 13). FCA’s are typically associated with nearby communities and managed through the Northern Saskatchewan Trappers Association (NSTA). Fur licences are granted to registered members to trap in portions of their local FCA. The 5 FCA’s are used by trappers from the predominantly Aboriginal communities on or adjacent to the TSL.



Figure 13 Fur Blocks within the NW TSL

A diverse species mix of animals are hunted and trapped in the NW TSL (Table 3) with an estimated revenue of $40 million generated to the province in 200613.

Table 3 Species Hunted and Trapped in the NW TSL

Big Game Birds Furbearers

White Tail Deer Moose Black Bear

Sharp-tailed Grouse Ruffed grouse Spruce Grouse Willow Ptarmigan Geese: All Species Ducks: All Species Wilson’s Snipe

Beaver Bobcat Coyote Fisher Fox Lynx Marten Mink

Muskrat Otter Skunk Squirrel Weasel Wolf Wolverine

Adapted from Saskatchewan Wildlife Management Report 2006-2011, MOE Fish and Wildlife Branch, March 2013

During the 1980s, the number of northern trappers declined only slightly compared to a drastic reduction in the number of southern trappers. Although the size and the value of the northern harvest have since decreased significantly, there have been positive trends in harvest over the last couple of years. This may signify increasing numbers.

13 Saskatchewan Wildlife Management Report 2006-2011, MOE Fish and Wildlife Branch, March 2013



The future of the trapping industry depends heavily on fur prices and access to European, and more recently, Chinese markets. If fur prices continue to be low, then trapping activity will be low. If there is a renewed interest in fur coats and other fur products, rising prices could rejuvenate the industry and increase trapping levels.

A small amount of cultural / recreational trapping may also occur on the TSL area, with the animals trapped for food and fur. This activity could increase in the future as younger generations of aboriginal people take up this activity to restore their cultural identity and enjoy the outdoors.

Subsistence hunting is widely practiced by Aboriginal communities in northern Saskatchewan. The main species hunted for sustenance meat is Moose but also harvested to a lesser extent is bear, deer, waterfowl, grouse and snowshoe hare. Since Aboriginal hunting is an unregulated activity data on number of hunters and harvest levels is not available.

There are approximately 625 Licenced hunting outfitters in Saskatchewan with up to 37operating exclusively within the NW TSL (see Figure 14 for outfitter zones). Commercial outfitters are an important employer and revenue generator within the region.

Figure 14 Outfitter Licence Boundaries in the NW TSL for Bear, Mule Deer, and Moose

Sport hunting is open to both Canadian and non-resident hunters with limits, season and other restrictions set by the Ministry of Environment. Wildlife Management Zones 72 and 73 cover the NW TSL.

Bear White Tail Deer

Moose



Wildlife populations in the southern boreal forest grew steadily from the mid-1990’s onwards due to a series of mild winters, peaking in the mid-2000s. Some winter mortality occurred in 2004 – 2007, however between 2007 and 2010 several consecutive mild winters allowed populations in the forest to recover until a particularly harsh winter in 2010/2011 set population recovery back.

Traditional Land Use 3.3.4The Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Science and Technology (SIAST), between August 2001 and January 2003, conducted the Pinehouse-Dipper Traditional Use Study for the Regional Land Use Planning Board and the Ministry of Environment.14 Community Co-ordinators were recruited and trained by SIAST to conduct seventy-three interviews in the communities of Patuanak, Beauval, Ile-a-la-Crosse, Pinehouse and the English River First Nation. Maps of traditional land uses were produced for each of the seventy-three interviews and then information was merged for each community to produce community level maps (Figure 15). Community open houses were held in each of the communities prior to compilation in order to give other individuals in the communities an opportunity to add, comment on or correct any information that may have been missed or misinterpreted. Final maps showed traditional use information for trapping, fishing, spawning areas, hunting and big game calving areas, traditional gathering activities, berry picking and traditional herb gathering areas. Cabins, trails and canoe routes were also mapped (see map on right).

Figure 15 Traditional Use Areas for the NW TSL 14 Pinehouse – Dipper, Draft Integrated Land Use Plan, Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment, December 2011



Archaeological, Cultural and Heritage Sites 3.3.5Archaeological heritage sites consist of archaeological and historic sites recognized under the Heritage Property Act. In the TSL, over one hundred sites are known to the Heritage Conservation Branch of the Ministry of Parks, Culture and Sport. Most of these sites consist of isolated artifacts finds such as ceramic shards or stone tools, likely remnants of ancient campsites and hunting sites. The Heritage Property Act provides for the preservation, interpretation and development of heritage property in Saskatchewan.

Cultural sites consist of sites identified by local Aboriginal groups that have traditional and cultural importance. These sites include, but are not limited to, burial sites, ceremonial grounds, and sacred sites.

The Ministry of Parks, Culture and Sport plays an important role to ensure that irreplaceable and non-renewable heritage is protected and preserved. These heritage resources contribute to our understanding and appreciation of Saskatchewan’s past, its people and its culture. Through careful and sensitive management, our heritage will continue to provide educational, social and economic benefits to present and future generations (Sask. Min. Parks, Culture and Sport, 2010)

The Heritage Property Act of Saskatchewan broadly defines heritage property as:

Archaeological objects; Paleontological objects; and, Any property of interest for its architectural, historical, cultural, environmental, archaeological,

paleontological, aesthetic or scientific value.

In Saskatchewan, the main heritage resources that have been traditionally recognized, and are actively managed and regulated, include:

Archaeological heritage sites and objects reflecting First Nations and later Euro-Canadian settlement and use of land;

Paleontological heritage sites and objects, including dinosaur fossil localities and stratotypes and, Built heritage properties and structures of historical and architectural importance.

Other types of heritage locations are only now being recognized as heritage resources.

These include:

“traditional cultural properties” (associated with the cultural practices and beliefs of a living community, and are central to the cultural and historical identity of that community); and

“Cultural heritage landscapes” (geographical areas that have been modified or influenced or give special cultural meaning by people)



Non-Timber Forest Products 3.3.6There have been no permits issued by the Ministry of Environment for the commercial gathering of non-timber forest products with in the NW TSL15.

Aboriginal people who live or adjacent to the NW TSL have traditionally gathered firewood, berries, medicinal plants, branches and birch bark from the forest for food, health remedies and crafts.

Wild rice was introduced to northern Saskatchewan in the mid-1930s when it was seeded as muskrat and waterfowl feed. Government sponsored initiatives to diversify northern Saskatchewan’s economy stimulated development and expansion of wild rice production on northern lakes during the 1960s and the 1980s. The level of activity has now reached the point where Saskatchewan is the leader in Canadian wild rice production but there has been a general decline in the number of wild rice producers in the last decade. Currently there are approximately 35 active wild rice permits on the NW TSL. A recovery is unlikely unless there is increased demand for wild rice (which faces competition from paddy-grown rice) or currently inaccessible lakes gain road access.

Commercial firewood production is also permitted on the NW TSL and trappers and commercial fisherman can apply for a licence to harvest 24 m3 annually for fuel wood and/or to build cabins.

Recreational Activities 3.3.7There are no provincial or regional parks located within the NW TSL. Much of the recreational activity is in the road-accessible areas around lakes adjacent to local communities. The Churchill River system adjacent to the north boundary of the NW TSL is a significant traditional and recreational use waterway. There are several cabin dispositions assigned within the NW TSL (Figure 16).

Grazing 3.3.8There are no grazing permit areas within the NW TSL16.

Visually Sensitive Areas 3.3.9Visual sensitive areas within the NW TSL have not been formally identified. Carrier’s intent is to apply visual quality objectives in areas adjacent to highways, recreational lakes and other important viewscapes where appropriate.

15 Devon Kelly and Jared Yeo, Saskatchewan Environment Area Conservation Officers, March 2015, Pers. Comm. 16 Kathleen Gazey – Area Forester Mistik FMA, Saskatchewan Environment, Forest Service Branch, March 2015, Pers. Comm.



Species at Risk 3.3.10In Saskatchewan, the Wildlife Act, the Wild Species at Risk Regulations and the federal Species at Risk Act (SARA) provide the mechanisms for both protecting wildlife and species at risk. The intent of the legislation is to prevent native species from becoming extirpated or extinct, to provide for the recovery of extirpated, endangered or threatened species, and to encourage the management of other species to prevent them from becoming threatened or endangered.

Within the NW TSL, there are a number of species that are identified as “at risk” by the Species at Risk Act (SARA) and as found on the provincial Conservation Data Centre list relevant to the NW TSL17 outlined in Table 4.

The woodland caribou is a species of key concern in the NW TSL. The federal government has developed a recovery strategy (2012) and the province of Saskatchewan is currently preparing a range plan for this species. Carrier is working with the province to determine a management strategy that can be implemented in the NW TSL in the near term while the range is being developed.

17 A query was conducted of the Conservation Data Centre list for species at risk that are filtered for the province and relevant ecoregions/landscape areas. Two species were removed from this list as they are related to active dunes. Not all of these species are likely to be impacted by forest management activities given their habitat.



Table 4 Species at Risk (NW TSL)

Common Name Scientific Name COSEWIC

status Schedule SARA status Assessment

Date Arthropods Gypsy Cuckoo

Bumble Bee Bombus bohemicus Endangered No Schedule No Status May 2014

Birds Bank Swallow Riparia riparia Threatened No Schedule No Status May 2013 Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica Threatened No Schedule No Status May 2011 Canada Warbler Cardellina canadensis Threatened Schedule 1 Threatened April 2008 Common Nighthawk Chordeiles minor Threatened Schedule 1 Threatened April 2007 Eskimo Curlew Numenius borealis Endangered Schedule 1 Endangered November 2009 Horned Grebe

Western population Podiceps auritus Special Concern No Schedule No Status April 2009

Olive-sided Flycatcher

Contopus cooperi Threatened Schedule 1 Threatened November 2007

Peregrine Falcon anatum/tundrius

Falco peregrinus anatum/tundrius

Special Concern Schedule 1 Special Concern

April 2007

Red-necked Phalarope

Phalaropus lobatus Special Concern No Schedule No Status November 2014

Rusty Blackbird Euphagus carolinus Special Concern Schedule 1 Special Concern

April 2009

Short-eared Owl Asio flammeus Special Concern Schedule 1 Special Concern

April 2008

Yellow Rail Coturnicops noveboracensis

Special Concern Schedule 1 Special Concern

November 2009

Mammals Caribou Boreal population

Rangifer tarandus Threatened Schedule 1 Threatened November 2014

Little Brown Myotis Myotis lucifugus Endangered Schedule 1 Endangered November 2013 Northern Myotis Myotis septentrionalis Endangered Schedule 1 Endangered November 2013 Plains bison Bison bison bison Threatened No Schedule No Status November 2013 Wolverine Gulo gulo Special Concern No Schedule No Status May 2014

TOTAL: ALL SPECIES 20

(E) – 6 (T) – 7 (SC) - 7

Schedule 1 – 11 No Schedule - 9

(E) – 3 (T) – 4

(SC) – 4 No Status - 9

The following definitions are used by COSEWIC: Extinct (X) A wildlife species that no longer exists. Extirpated (XT) A wildlife species no longer existing in the wild in Canada, but occurring elsewhere. Endangered (E) A wildlife species facing imminent extirpation or extinction. Threatened (T) A wildlife species likely to become endangered if limiting factors are not reversed. Special Concern (SC) * A wildlife species that may become a threatened or an endangered wildlife species because of a combination

of biological characteristics and identified threats. Not at Risk (NAR) ** A wildlife species that has been evaluated and found to be not at risk of extinction given the current

circumstances. Data Deficient (DD) *** A category that applies when the available information is insufficient (a) to resolve a wildlife species' eligibility

for assessment or (b) to permit an assessment of the wildlife species' risk of extinction.



Mineral Dispositions 3.3.11There are no active mineral dispositions on the NW TSL.

Oil and Gas Exploration 3.3.12Saskatchewan is Canada’s second largest oil producer and third largest producer of natural gas. In 2011, Saskatchewan produced 157.7 million barrels of oil with an approximate value of $12.7 billion. There are no active oil and gas dispositions located within the NW TSL.

Land Dispositions and Leases 3.3.13The Ministry of Environment has leased a number of other parcels within the NW TSL for non-timber uses. These include gravel and sand quarries, telecommunication towers, trapper, outfitter and recreation cabins, etc.

Figure 16 Non-timber Dispositions on the NW TSL

Linear Developments 3.3.14Figure 17 provides an overview of the linear developments on the NW TSL, which range from cut-lines to highways, however not all of these developments are managed by Carrier. Currently within the TSL is approximately 357.9 km of highway, road, trail and cut-lines not managed by Carrier, and 247 km of Improved Bush Roads and temporary in-block roads that are managed by Carrier. A more detailed tabular summary of linear developments and roads lengths, by type and responsibility, is provided below in section 5.4.1.



Figure 17 Roads, trails and other linear Developments within the NW TSL



3.4 Community and Social Profile The major population centers closest to the NW TSL area are the cities of Prince Albert and Meadow Lake. Prince Albert is the third largest city in Saskatchewan and is dependent on agriculture, forestry, and tourism and mining. It is also acts as a service center to northern communities. The Carrier sawmill is located in the Town of Big River.

Information for this section was obtained from Statistics Canada’s website for Census years 2001, 2006 and 2011.18

Human Population 3.4.1In the 2011 Census of Canada, 15% of the Saskatchewan population identified themselves as Aboriginal19. Between the 2006 and 2011 census, the general population trend in communities associated with the NW TSL increased, with the exception of Big River, Beauval, and Pinehouse that experienced a decrease in population (Table 5). A portion of this decrease in population could be attributed to the Big River sawmill closure in 2006, which was recently purchased by Carrier Lumber and is now in operation. Indian reserves within the NW TSL show no increases in population growth between 2006 and 2011. Median age describes the population where half the people are younger than this age and half are older. The median age within the NW TSL is lower than the province as a whole (Table 6). The one exception is Big River where the median age exceeds the provincial average by 2.7 years. The median age on Indian reserves in the study area is considerably lower with the typical median age being approximately 10 years younger in these communities.

18 Limited data is available from the 2011 Census on income and educational achievement; however, 2006 and 2011 data is presented where available in the tables. The communities selected represent the major centers and First Nation communities that the near or within the NW TSL. Due to small population sizes on many of the Indian Reserves, data is often suppressed by Statistics Canada because of privacy concerns. Information is also presented in the tables for the Province of Saskatchewan as a whole for comparison purposes. 19 National Household Survey (NHS) Aboriginal Population Profile, 2011 – Census Profile



Table 5 Population data from Statistics Canada 2001, 2006, and 2011 Census

Communities Population

Census 2001

Population Census 2006

Population Census 2011

Percentage Change

from 2006 to 2011

Saskatchewan 978,935 968,157 1,033,381 6.7 Prince Albert 34,291 34,127 35,129 2.9 Beauval 843 806 756 -6.2 Buffalo Narrows 1,137 1,081 1,153 6.7 Big River 741 728 639 -12.2 Île-à-la-Crosse 1,268 1341 1365 1.8 La Loche 2,136 2348 2611 11.2 La Ronge 2,727 2,725 2,743 0.7 Pinehouse 1,038 1076 978 -9.1 Turnor Lake 155 115 179 55.7 Meadow Lake 4582 4771 5045 5.7 Indian Reserves Birch Narrows 193B (Turnor Lake) 338 413 419 1.5 Buffalo River Dene Nation 193 607 741 764 3.1 Canoe Lake Cree First Nation 165 747 822 716 -12.9 Clearwater River Dene First Nation 222 & 223 594 673 797 18.4 English River First Nation (Patuanak) 72 84 64 -23.8 English River First Nation (La Plonge 192) 120 139 115 -17.3

As of the 2011 Census, Aboriginal people (First Nation and Métis) made up 15.3% of Saskatchewan’s total population. Of the selected communities in and around the NW TSL, the aboriginal community accounts for a significant portion of residents. The non-reserve communities have a significant proportion of aboriginal residents. The on-reserve population within the NW TSL is almost entirely aboriginal with the average being 98% of First Nation or Métis descent. The 2011 Census had some reporting issues and reliable data for several communities within the NW TSL area is not available.



Table 6 Population Characteristics from Statistics Canada 2011 Census Period

Communities Median Age of

Population

% of Population Age 15 or

Over

Non-Aboriginal Population

Aboriginal Population

Percent Aboriginal Population

Saskatchewan 38.2 80.9% 875,641 157,740 15.3 Prince Albert 34.8 78.2% 21,204 13,925 39.6 Beauval 26.4 70.0% 121 635 84.0 Buffalo Narrows 27.6 71.3% 158 995 86.3 Big River 40.9 78.2% N/A N/A N/A Île-à-la-Crosse 27.4 71.2% N/A N/A N/A La Loche 22.6 67.8% 81 2530 96.9 La Ronge 30.2 74.7% N/A N/A N/A Pinehouse 20.6 62.8% 1070 N/A Turnor Lake N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A Meadow Lake 32.7 74.6% 2870 2175 43.1

Indian Reserves Birch Narrows 193B (Turnor Lake) 21.9 66.6% N/A N/A N/A Buffalo River Dene Nation 193 25.6 70.5% 14 750 98.2 Canoe Lake Cree First Nation 165 N/A N/A 1 715 99.9 Clearwater River Dene First Nation 222 22.0 67.0% 27 770 96.6 English River First Nation (Patuanak) 40.5 79.6% N/A N/A N/A English River First Nation (La Plonge 192) 28.5 72.2% N/A N/A N/A

Educational Achievement 3.4.2According to Statistics Canada’s 2011 census, education levels in communities near the NW TSL are on average slightly lower than the education levels for Saskatchewan as a whole. Within Saskatchewan 39% of the population over the age of 15 have completed a Trade, College or University Certificate or Degree; the community of La Ronge was anomalous with a 58% completion rate and Meadow Lake and Big River were slightly greater than 39% completion rate. The education levels in the Indian Reserves are significantly lower than the neighbouring communities and the provincial average. On average for the six Indian Reserves in the NW TSL, 60% of the total population over the age of 15 did not complete a Certificate, Degree or Diploma, with only 18% completing High School or a Trade, College or University Certificate or Degree.



Table 7 provides detailed information regarding education levels of the nearby communities and Indian Reserve populations.



Table 7 Education Levels from Statistics Canada 2011 Census Period

Communities

Total Population

15 and over

No Certificate,

Diploma or Degree

High School

Certificate or

Equivalent

Trade, College or University Certificate or Degree

Saskatchewan 835,525 231,730 205,495 329,015 Prince Albert 27,805 7,025 7,345 12,300 Beauval 530 295 100 140 Buffalo Narrows 825 310 290 210 Big River 500 200 140 205 Île-à-la-Crosse 970 N/A N/A N/A La Loche 1,770 1,380 215 175 La Ronge 1,720 575 420 1,000 Pinehouse 615 430 160 115 Turnor Lake N/A N/A N/A N/A Meadow Lake 3765 1115 840 1680

Indian Reserves Birch Narrows 193B (Turnor Lake) 275 N/A N/A N/A Buffalo River Dene Nation 193 540 370 60 110 Canoe Lake Cree First Nation 165 N/A 360 80 80 Clearwater River Dene First Nation 222 525 370 80 70 English River First Nation (Patuanak) 45 25 15 0 English River First Nation (La Plonge 192) 80 35 20 30

Employment 3.4.3In February 2015, the unemployment rate in Saskatchewan was 5.5%, up 1.4 percent from February 2014. Saskatchewan's labour force increased by 3,900 to 590,700 persons in February 2015 from 586,800 persons in January 2015. This is 9,100 more than the February 2014 labour force of 581,600 persons20. Overall, unemployment rates within rural communities near the NW TSL are considerably higher than the provincial rate (Table 8). In 2011, the unemployment rate for Aboriginal adults on the Indian Reserves close to the NW TSL 15.5% compared to non-Aboriginal adults at 5.9%. Notably, the Indian Reserves of English River First Nation at Patuanak and La Plonge 192 are reporting no unemployment. Between 1995 and 2000 the income of Aboriginal families increased. However the gap between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal families remains very large with Aboriginal families only averaging two-thirds the income of non-Aboriginal families21. The Saskatchewan government recognized the need for Aboriginal and community involvement in 1999 when it announced a major redevelopment of the forest industry. Changes that were implemented

20 Saskatchewan Labour Force Statistics, February 2015 21 Boom and Bust: The Growing Income Gap in Saskatchewan, Sept. 2009



through this initiative were the need for industry to demonstrate that the development is a) economically viable b) maintains resource sustainability c) has a corporate partner and d) had a community partner.22

Table 8 Labour Force Activity from Statistics Canada 2011 Census Period

Communities

Total Population

15 and over

Total in the Labour

Force

Total Employed

Total Unemployed

Un-Employment

Rate (%)

Saskatchewan 835,525 562,310 529,095 33,210 5.9 Prince Albert 27,805 18,420 16,545 1,880 10.2 Beauval 530 225 190 40 17.8 Buffalo Narrows 825 420 385 35 8.3 Big River 500 380 325 55 14.5 Île-à-la-Crosse 970 N/A N/A N/A N/A La Loche 1,770 470 365 105 22.3 La Ronge 1,720 1,530 1,410 125 8.2 Pinehouse 615 365 300 65 17.8 Turnor Lake N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A Meadow Lake 3765 2475 2185 285 11.5

Indian Reserves Birch Narrows 193B (Turnor Lake) 275 N/A N/A N/A N/A Buffalo River Dene Nation 193 540 235 170 65 27.7 Canoe Lake Cree First Nation 165 N/A 155 120 35 22.6 Clearwater River Dene First Nation 222 & 223 525 165 120 45 27.3

English River First Nation (Patuanak) 45 20 15 0 0.0 English River First Nation (La Plonge 192) 80 40 40 0 0.0

Income 3.4.4The median total income for individuals in Saskatchewan in 2010 was $31,220 – higher than all other provinces except Alberta. Saskatchewan median income has been rising steadily since 2006 and house prices have steadily increased since 2010 with an annual change in 2012 of 8% to a current average residential resale price of $271,741 (Table 9).

The average value of owned dwellings and median income for the nearby NW TSL communities and Indian Reserves has increased significantly between 2006 and 2011 (Table 10). The province of Saskatchewan has been in an economic expansion situation since 2007 which will likely continue as natural resources are developed throughout the province, including within the NW TSL.

22 Premier’s Task Force on Forest Development Report, Sept. 2006



Table 9 MLS average residential resale price

Average resale price ($) Annual change (%) 2010 2011 2012 2010 2011 2012 Canada $339,212 $364,289 $368,485 5.8% 7.4% 1.6% Saskatchewan $242,258 $258,386 $271,741 4.0% 6.7% 8.0%

Table 10 Economic Data from 2006 and 2011 Census Periods

Communities

Median Income 15 Years of Age

and Over (2005)

Median Income 15

Years of Age and

Over (2010)

Average Value of Owned

Dwellings (2006)

Average Value of Owned

Dwellings (2011)

Percent Increase In

Dwelling Value

Saskatchewan $23,755 $31,408 $132,111 $267,006 102.1 Prince Albert $23,709 $30,271 $121,816 $252,896 107.6 Beauval $18,010 $18,904 $69,076 $79,607 15.2 Buffalo Narrows $24,848 $34,872 $97,359 $99,888 2.6 Big River $22,908 N/A $91,456 N/A N/A Île-à-la-Crosse $21,010 N/A $64,732 N/A N/A La Loche $11,912 $14,497 $92,679 $141,630 52.8 La Ronge $27,123 N/A $97,900 N/A N/A Pinehouse $15,344 $17,144 $122,837 $100,879 -17.9 Turnor Lake N/A N/A $61,000 N/A N/A Meadow Lake $24,920 $32,686 $98,083 $210,740 114.9

Indian Reserves Birch Narrows 193B (Turnor Lake) N/A N/A N/A N/A Buffalo River Dene Nation 193 N/A $10,527 N/A N/A Canoe Lake Cree First Nation 165 $10,656 $9,491 N/A N/A Clearwater River Dene First Nation 222 $8,176 $10,016 N/A N/A English River First Nation (Patuanak) N/A N/A N/A $80,417 English River First Nation (La Plonge 192) N/A N/A N/A N/A

Community and Social Profile Summary 3.4.5There has been essentially no forest harvesting occurring in the NW TSL area over the past 15 years (and, for that matter on adjacent local FMA’s and TSL’s). Local communities and businesses have; therefore, focused on other activities to help support the local economies. The high unemployment rate in the local communities provides some evidence that these other activities are not able to sustain local economies. With the issuance of the NW TSL to Carrier, and the migration of this TSL into a FMA the kind of economic benefit already seen in mature forest based communities will become evident. As forest management activities increase, the local communities will benefit from supplying support services such as crew



accommodations, fuel, groceries, and repairs. As operations increase, there will be opportunities for employment for skilled and trained individuals in harvesting and manufacturing facilities. The provincial funding provided to NWC is expected to assist in the training of individuals.

4.0 Licensee Description Carrier Forest Products is a privately owned company that was started in 1951 by William Kordyban Sr. Bill Kordyban, son of the founder, now serves as the company president. The company originally specialized in portable modular mills, and milling salvaged timber at remote operations. Carrier earned a reputation for developing innovative technology and the ability to undertake difficult projects. Carrier is recognized as a pioneer in the development of modular mills which are especially effective for milling timber salvaged from wildfires and infestations.

In 1976 Carrier built the Tabor Mill complex in Prince George, British Columbia. Since that time the company has continually reinvested and upgraded the facility which now includes a two-line dimension sawmill, planer mill, kilns, and numerous drying and storage facilities. Currently the Tabor facility produces approximately 250 million FBM annually.

Carrier continues to build the most sophisticated portable mill equipment in the world. In 1995 Carrier began using this expertise and equipment to salvage timber from large forest fire areas in Saskatchewan.

In 2011 Carrier purchased the Big River sawmill in Saskatchewan from Weyerhaeuser. Carrier immediately invested in the facility by establishing a new saw mill and planer mill. The Big River mill now operates with approximately 90 employees and produces approximately 250 million FBM of SPF dimension lumber annually. Approximately 30% of the timber for the Big River sawmill is supplied from the NW TSL. The Big River sawmill is also supplied by the Prince Albert FMA.

Forest management activities are administered out of Carrier’s Prince Albert office location.

Forestry and logging/hauling operations are typically contracted out and employ a similar number of people to those working in the mill.

4.1 Independent Operators In the Northwest TSL area, there is 145,000 m3/yr. of softwood and 100,000 m3/yr. of hardwood assigned to Third-party operators. Current Third-party operator volume allocations are outlined in Table 11. The program and its allocations are administered by the Forest Service.

Table 11 Third-party Operator Allocations in the NW TSL

Allocation Holder Softwood Allocation

(m³/yr.)

Hardwood Allocation

(m³/yr.) North West Communities Wood Products Ltd. 37,500 96,000 Paper Excellence 100,000 Third-party Operators 7,500 4,000 Total Under Licence 145,000 100,000



4.2 Forest Management Principles and Certification Carrier Forest Products Ltd. Is committed to the following Forest Management Principles:

1. Ecosystem Based Management a. An approach to managing human activities that seeks to ensure the coexistence of healthy

functioning ecosystems and human communities. The intent is to maintain those spatial and temporal characteristics of ecosystems such that species and ecological processes can be sustained, and human wellbeing supported and improved.

2. Adaptive Management / Continual Improvement a. A structured, iterative process of decision making in the face of uncertainty, with an aim to

reducing uncertainty over time through monitoring, learning, and then adapting improved practices.

3. Sustainable Forest Management a. Forest management that sustains social, economic, and ecological values in the present and

for future generations. This includes both commercial and non-commercial forest values such as recreation, aesthetics, and water resources.

b. Resource extraction or use to meet current needs will not compromise the ability of future generations to meet their needs.

4. Public Involvement / Transparency a. A process of seeking out input on resource management issues/practices from

stakeholders, aboriginal peoples, and the public and then working to resolve any issues that are identified.

5. Accountability to government and stakeholders a. Compliance with applicable federal, provincial, and local laws, statutes, and regulations b. Compliance with Forest Management Plan commitments and strategies developed in

conjunction with government and stakeholders.

Carrier Forest Products is currently registered to the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) program. (http://www.sfiprogram.org/).

SFI Inc. is an independent, non-profit organization responsible for maintaining, overseeing and improving a sustainable forestry certification program that is internationally recognized and is the largest single forest standard in the world. The SFI 2015-2020 Standard is based on principles and measures that promote sustainable forest management and consider all forest values. It includes unique fiber sourcing requirements to promote responsible forest management on all forest lands in North America.

As part of the certification process, Carrier Forest Products Ltd. maintains an Environmental Management System (EMS) consistent with the ISO 14001 standard. The EMS requires that environmental policy, objectives, programs and targets be developed for each company and they are tracked over time to ensure impacts are measured and mitigated.



4.3 Northern Saskatchewan Forest Sector Economic Profile Over half of Saskatchewan is forested, of which over 90% is owned by the Province. Of the 34 million hectares of Provincial Forest, 11.7M ha (34%) is currently classified as commercial forest, and available for commercial timber harvesting. The Commercial Forest Zone consists of 47% softwood stands, 37% mixed wood stands and 16% hardwood stands.

The primary manufacturing facilities in the province and their production capacities are:

1 Chemi-thermal mechanical Pulp Mill in Meadow Lake (400,000 air dried metric tonnes) 1 Kraft Pulp Mill in Prince Albert (310,000 air dried metric tonnes – currently only producing electricity) 2 Oriented Strand Board Mills - Meadow Lake / Hudson Bay (1,36 million square feet, 3/8 basis) 1 Plywood Mill in Hudson Bay (135 million square feet, 3/8 basis – not currently operating) 6 Sawmills - Meadow Lake, Big River, Prince Albert, Carrot River, Glaslyn, La Ronge (604 million board

feet of SPF dimension lumber)

Because of the mixed species stands present on much of the land base, harvesting often results in multiple facilities processing the volume. A healthy industry relies on each type of facility being able to successfully merchandize different components of stands (e.g. softwood saw timber, aspen for OSB, and pulpwood) or residuals from primary product manufacturing (woodchips and hog fuel).

The current annual allowable cut for the Commercial Forest Zone within the Province is 8.2 million m³/yr. (4.8 million softwood and 3.4 million hardwood). Over the past decade there have been significant swings in the volume of timber actually harvested. The highest volume harvested was 5.0 million in 2004-05 while in 2011-2012 it was only 2.1 million m3 – always well under the allowable cut level. (Figure 18)



Figure 18 Saskatchewan aggregate allowable vs actual historical timber harvesting levels

Figure 19 shows that each of the licence areas in the province shows a similar trend for historical harvest levels but Northwest TSL can be seen to have almost no harvest occurring after 1999-2000.

The forest sector in Saskatchewan is strongly linked to US demand because of its geography and US lumber prices are highly correlated with US demand as indicated by housing starts. In March of 2013 CIBC World Markets has forecast the following lumber prices ($USD/Mfbm for SPF #2&Better) and housing starts:

2012 (780,000 US housing starts): $299 / Mfbm 2013 (950,000 US housing starts): $380 / Mfbm 2014 (1.15 M US housing starts): $430 / Mfbm 2015+ (1.5 M US housing starts): $450 / Mfbm

Figure provides a historical look at US housing starts and also provides a future forecast. After falling to historical lows in 2009-2011, housing starts are predicted to climb to a long term average of 1.67 million in 2015-2027.



Figure 19 Provincial Historical Harvest Levels by Management Unit

Figure 20 US Housing Starts Historical and Forecasted Trends

These future projections of housing starts and lumber prices suggest that the NW TSL’s restarted harvest (Figure 19) will continue on into the future. The ex