Cat Lake - Slate Falls Community Based Land Use Plan “Niigaan Bimaadiziwin” – A Future Life Cat Lake First Nation Slate Falls Nation and Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources July 2011 Copies of this publication are available in print and CD-ROM format at the locations below. Comments or planning questions can be addressed to: Cat Lake First Nation General Delivery Cat Lake Ontario, P0V 1J0 Slate Falls Nation 48 Lakeview Road Slate Falls, Ontario, P0V 3C0 Sioux Lookout District Ministry of Natural Resources Sioux Lookout, Ontario, P8T 1A6 62719 (0.10, P.R. 07 13 11) ISBN 978-1-4435-6902-6 (Print) ISBN 978-1-4435-6903-3 (PDF) ISBN 978-1-4435-6904-0 (CD-ROM) Acknowledgements Approval of the Cat Lake-Slate Falls Community Based Land Use Plan is the result of the leadership, efforts and support of many people - people in the community, people outside the community, people working with funding organizations, and with the province. The Cat Lake-Slate Falls Planning team would like to acknowledge everyone's support and collaborative efforts to reach this achievement. We acknowledge the leadership of the Cat Lake and Slate Falls First Nations' Chiefs and Council, guidance of community elders and participation of community members. The communities have many important issues to address. The time taken to participate in this planning process was appreciated. We acknowledge the participation and support of the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and the support, advice and expertise provided by the Ontario Ministry of Northern Development, Mines and Forests. We acknowledge Sioux Lookout District and Northwest Regional staff, and advisors with Far North Branch, Water Resources Information Program, Climate Change Section and Ontario Parks. We acknowledge the agencies that have provided funding to support our process including the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Ministry of Northern Development, Mines and Forests, Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs, Industry Canada, Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, Environment Canada and Natural Resources Canada. Without your support, the completion of this Community Based Land Use Plan and the initiation of the communities’ goal for a strong, sustainable and vibrant future would not have transpired. And we appreciate the contribution of all people and organizations providing views, perspectives and advice, including those who have participated in consultation opportunities. Kichi Meegwetch Cat Lake - Slate Falls Community Based Land Use Plan 2011 Table of Contents Acknowledgements Plan Summary..................................................................................... i Preface............................................................................................ iii PART ONE: Plan Context 1.1 Introduction ..................................................................................1 1.2. Guiding Direction – Goals, Objectives & Principles ...................................3 Goals.......................................................................................................3 Objectives ................................................................................................3 Principles .................................................................................................5 1.3. Land Use Planning Area....................................................................6 Cat Lake -Slate Falls Planning Area...................................................................6 Land and Resources .....................................................................................8 Land and Resources Use .............................................................................. 11 1.4. Process ..................................................................................... 14 Planning process ....................................................................................... 14 Decision-making approach ........................................................................... 15 Preparing Direction.................................................................................... 15 Engagement and Consultation ....................................................................... 16 1.5. Information ................................................................................ 19 PART TWO - Cat Lake-Slate Falls Plan Direction 2.1. Land Use Areas ............................................................................ 21 2.2 Strategic Direction........................................................................ 30 All Land Uses ........................................................................................... 30 Specific Land Use Activities.......................................................................... 31 Other Subjects ......................................................................................... 33 2.3 Summary of Land Use Activities Direction ............................................ 36 Cat Lake-Slate Falls Community Based Land Use Plan July 2011 PART Three - Plan Implementation 3.1 Achieving goals and objectives ......................................................... 39 3.2. Plan review and renewal ................................................................ 41 3.3. Implementation Actions ................................................................. 41 Figures: Figure 1: Cat Lake-Slate Falls Land Use Planning Area Figure 2: Cat Lake-Slate Falls Watershed Context Map Figure 3: Cat Lake-Slate Falls Planning Process Figure 4: Cat Lake-Slate Falls Planning Structure Figure 5: Cat Lake-Slate Falls Land Use Areas Tables: Table 1: Cat Lake-Slate Falls Summary of Activities Direction Appendices: Appendix 1: Information maps Appendix 2: Cat Lake-Slate Falls Guidelines for Mineral Sector Projects: Best Management Practices Cat Lake-Slate Falls Community Based Land Use Plan July 2011 Cat Lake-Slate Falls Community Based Land Use Plan 2011 Plan Summary The Cat Lake-Slate Falls Community Based Land Use Plan is the result of three years of planning. Cat Lake First Nation, Slate Falls Nation and the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources worked in partnership to prepare the plan. The plan is approved by both First Nations and the Government of Ontario, under the Far North Act 2010. The partners will now move forward to implement the plan and enable opportunities for environmentally sustainable economic development, including a new forest management opportunity. The plan addresses a 1.5 million hectare area, encompassing a portion of the communities' self-described traditional territories in the Far North of Ontario. The plan conveys an understanding of Cat Lake and Slate Falls First Nation people's relationship to the land as a primary context for decision making. The land use plan articulates Cat Lake and Slate Falls' vision to support the well-being of future generations by affirming an ongoing relationship with the land and continuation of ancestral stewardship responsibilities. This is affirmed in the context of contemporary interests and new resource-based opportunities. The plan establishes goals and objectives for planning which address cultural, social, environment and economic interests, including the Far North Act 2010 objectives for planning. The economic development objective speaks to defining opportunities that will benefit the First Nations. A catalyst for planning was a potential forestry opportunity, but all potential opportunities in the planning area have been considered. Extensive community-led Aboriginal Traditional Knowledge (ATK) data collection programs supported planning. In addition, Ontario assembled the most current information on natural resource values, watershed mapping, bedrock and surficial geology and mineral potential. Expert advisors provided guidance on climate change emerging directions and technology, species at risk protection and the consideration of cumulative impacts. The land use plan defines three land use areas, land use designations and permitted activities. The plan recognizes that proposals for specific activities will also be subject to any additional requirements that exist in policy, guidelines or legislation (e.g., environmental assessment). The Cat Lake-Slate Falls land use areas are: • a Dedicated Protected Area ( 495,833 hectares; 34% of the planning area*) with a focus on waterway protection, traditional use and tourism; • an Enhanced Management Area - cultural heritage category (369,311 hectares; 25% of the planning area), providing for all land uses with additional direction to protect special features/values; and • a General Use Area (576,613 hectares; 40% of the planning area) providing for all land uses. *The total protected areas as a percentage of the planning area is 35%. This is the sum of Dedicated Protected Area (34%) and the existing Pipestone River Provincial Park (1%). Cat Lake-Slate Falls Community Based Land Use Plan July 2011 Page i Strategic direction statements in the plan guide how land use activities should take place to achieve desired outcomes and objectives. Key strategic directions: • provide for traditional use and new livelihood opportunities in a manner that will be guided by the First Nation community members, working together with Ontario; • emphasize Cat Lake-Slate Falls Aboriginal Traditional Knowledge as a foundation for decision making, now and in future; • encourage realization of sustainable economic development that can benefit the First Nations of Cat Lake and Slate Falls; • promote protection of community