La Ronge Integrated Land Use Management Plan
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La Ronge Integrated Land Use Management Plan Saskatchewan Environment www.se.gov.sk.ca/ecosystem/land%20use ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The Planning Secretariat wishes to acknowledge the assistance and participation of those individuals who assisted with the development of this Plan. This document is the result of the cooperative efforts taken by several individuals working together to address the land and resource management needs of the La Ronge Planning Area . The management guidelines presented in this document reflect the varied interests and expertise brought to the planning table by members of the general public, representatives of industry, the La Ronge Local Advisory Board, and representatives of the Saskatchewan provincial government. The contributions made by all of these individuals has been greatly appreciated. The La Ronge Local Advisory Board First and foremost, the La Ronge and area residents who participated as members of the La Ronge Local Advisory Board must be acknowledged for their commitment. Over a two and a half year period, they attended monthly meetings, on their own time, striving to help one another understand many differing points of view. Each board member has been a teacher and a student. Without their input, this Plan could not have captured the views of the community. The members of the La Ronge Local Advisory Committee included: Fred Charles, Lac La Ronge Indian Band Gerry Christiansen, Northern Village of Air Ronge Gill Gracie, La Ronge/Air Ronge Tourism Rick Kolstad, Ecotourism Operator, La Ronge Pat Knudsen, Private Contractor, Air Ronge Don Pawson, Zelensky Brothers La Ronge Sawmill Deb Peters, Ecotourism Operator, La Ronge Dick Picard, Napatak Cottager Owners Association Angus Pratt, Northern Town of La Ronge Allan Quandt, La Ronge Environmental Society Sid Robinson, La Ronge Ski Club and Saskatchewan Sled Dog Club Henry Sanderson, Lac La Ronge Indian Band Jim Searson, Northern Region I, Metis Nation of Saskatchewan Brian Zelensky, Zelensky Brothers La Ronge Sawmill Recognition is also given to the following community members who participated in various Local Advisory Board meetings: Larry Benning, Hector Bird, Virgina Bird, Heather Brooks, Greg B. Charles, Dawn Crawford, Ray Evans, Terri Franks, Bruce Halkett, Eliza Halkett, Carmen Hancheroff, Peter Knudson, Mike Lederhouse, Jane Lyster, Yvonne Meekel, Rhonda Oliver, Gerry Parsons, Paul Ratt, George Pidhaychuk, Dan Richert, Al Rivard, William Roberts, Jeffery Simpson, Margaret Simpson, Rod Spooner, Gordon Stomp, Vern Studer, Mick Taylor, Doyle Vermette and Ron Warner. La Ronge Integrated Land Use Management Plan, January 2003 i Resource People Many other individuals, including provincial government staff and representatives of the forest industry, also participated in the land use planning process. They contributed their time and effort to participate in meetings or prepare background material to provide the Local Advisory Board members with the necessary information for discussing such topics as forestry, fisheries, woodland caribou management, and mineral exploration and mine development. The assistance provided by the following individuals has been invaluable: C Agriculture, Food and Rural Revitalization Gerry Ivanochko C Industry and Resources Bruno Lafrance Murray Rogers C Highways and Transportation Russ Gillert Lionel Pillar C Northern Affairs Mark Liskowich Pam Schwann Carol Rowlett C Weyerhaeuser Canada Jim Bradfield Brian Christiansen Kerry McIntyre C Mamawetan Churchill River Health District Jane Lyster C Environment Andrea Atkinson Barry Otterson Jonas Bird Darlene Radke Holly Chasse Elvin Reimer Kim Clark Bill Sawchyn David Curran Gord Sedgewick Jeff Davies Will Stafford Howard Delong Tim Trottier Michael Goodyear Karen Waters Bev Hathaway Kevin Weatherbee Mark Langdon Marty Willfong Ed Osler Gary Zuk Karla Ens, Catharine Fiddler and Dusty Guedo of Saskatchewan Environment must also be acknowledged for their assistance in editing this document. ii La Ronge Integrated Land Use Management Plan, January 2003 The La Ronge Northerner A special thank-you also goes out to publisher and editor Scott Boyes and staff reporter Carmen Pauls of The La Ronge Northerner for the fine job of keeping the community informed about the land use planning process. Thank you for presenting this objective view to the community. The Ladies of The Royal Canadian Legion A special thank-you must also be given to Mrs. Winnie Phillips and the other Ladies of the Royal Canadian Legion. They provided the La Ronge Local Advisory Board with numerous lunches and suppers for those board meetings held at the La Ronge Legion Hall. The excellent meals that were served assisted in providing the much needed energy to continue working. The Planning Secretariat The time and effort contributed by the individuals who participated on the Planning Secretariat must also be acknowledged. Their commitment and perseverance have helped to keep this project on track. The members of the Planning Secretariat included: Randy Braaten, Government Relations and Aboriginal Affairs Dr. Andrew Gracie, Industry and Resources Greg Hayes, Environment Dorothy MacAuley, Environment/Northern Affairs Angus Pratt, Northern Town of La Ronge Dwayne Rinholm, Environment Keitha Swenson, Environment The contributions provided by everyone involved in the land use planning process has been greatly appreciated. If, inadvertently, anyone has not been acknowledged on these pages, please accept our apologies. Thank-you. La Ronge Integrated Land Use Management Plan, January 2003 iii iv La Ronge Integrated Land Use Management Plan, January 2003 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The La Ronge Integrated Land Use Management Plan (the Plan) provides general direction for land and resource management in the La Ronge Planning Area. However, it does not apply to either the reserve lands of the Lac La Ronge Indian Band or the municipal lands situated within the corporate limits of the Northern Town of La Ronge and the Northern Village of Air Ronge. A cooperative approach has been taken to ensure that the policies and guidelines presented in this Plan are complementary to the management and development needs of local communities. As a coordinating document, this Plan will not only provide a policy framework for land and resource management, but it will also provide direction for public involvement; options for resolving conflict among resource users; and conditions/criteria for monitoring and evaluating the Plan’s effectiveness. SE will be responsible for the administration and implementation of the Plan. SE will coordinate activities of the Local Advisory Board (LAB) consistent with its mandate to manage, enhance and protect natural and environmental resources. GRAA will be responsible for the implementation of land use policy in the Plan through the establishment of an Advisory Northern Planning Commission (ANPC), Land Use Plan and development controls under The Planning and Development Act, 1983. GRAA will coordinate the activities of the ANPC consistent with its role to support community planning and development for northern communities. The Plan has been prepared to address the increasing demand on the area’s land and resources that are of importance not only to the La Ronge area, but also to the province as a whole. The Plan considers all uses and values in developing land use strategies and attempts to minimize conflict among users. The diversity and productive capacity of all components of the land base must be maintained, while still using resources to provide a wide range of environmental, social, and economic benefits. The Plan’s goal is “to manage the use of the land and renewable and non-renewable resources of the La Ronge Planning Area in an integrated and environmentally sound manner to ensure ecological, economic, and social benefits for present and future generations”. The intent of this Plan is to provide a sound policy document that provides direction for land and resource management that better meet the needs of the La Ronge area. The management strategies presented in the Plan have been developed by combining both scientific and local knowledge of the land and resources of the La Ronge area. A review process was conducted to allow members of the public and government staff with the opportunity to provide comments and points of clarification regarding the content of this document. This Plan has been developed according to the principles of integrated resource management. Planning and management decisions have been made by looking at the health of the whole ecosystem and its various components — soil, water, plants, animals, and man — to meet a variety of environmental, social, and economic needs. Integrated resource management allows for a broad range of land and resource uses, and gives all affected parties the opportunity to be informed and involved in management planning. Economic development opportunities tied to sustainable land and resource use and environmentally sound practices as well as the protection of the ecosystem are key elements of proposed management strategies and recommendations. La Ronge Integrated Land Use Management Plan, January 2003 v The management strategies presented in Chapter 4 address the following areas of concern: C Environmental Quality; C Traditional Land Use; C Wildlife Management; C Forestry; C Mineral Exploration and Mine Development; C Sand and Gravel Exploration and Development; C Commercial, Industrial, Agricultural, Recreational, and Residential Development; C Recreation; C