The local Ministry of Natural Resources has recommended Trout Road and other branches of that road system be opened conditionally, not to have it remain closed as was wrongly reported in last Wednesday’s Times.
And that recommendation is being applauded by several parties–with some reservations.
“Mainly, we thought it was a step in the right direction,” said Jeff Steinke, president of the Crossroute Forest People’s Alliance.
“A lot of people spent a lot of time and did a lot of research while going through this with the [MNR], and I think it showed a good working relationship,” Steinke noted last Thursday night.
He added he believes the Alliance’s public display Jan. 22, and growing membership since its inception earlier this month, were factors in MNR district manager Bill Darby’s decision.
But Steinke also stressed the Alliance won’t rest during the 30-day appeal period, which began last Wednesday.
While Steinke said the restricted access to the Trout River system was understood, given it’s a “sensitive fishing area,” he added the Alliance will question the decision to close access to Entwine Lake.
The fact access will be prohibited to Kinnyu and Silander Roads from Jan. 1 to Oct. 20 is another bone of contention for Steinke.
“There appears to be differential access prior to Oct. 20–it’s a precedence in moose hunting,” he noted, referring to moose hunting season opening two weeks before the road does.
“We’re definitely going to talk to them about this,” Steinke said. “There are some problems but they’re problems we can fix. We’re close to what we want.”
Darren O’Donnell, who chaired a Fort Frances Sportsmen’s Club committee during the consultation process on Trout Road access, agreed.
“We would like a reason for the two weeks’ lead time with moose hunting. They didn’t give a strong argument as to why non-residents should have this benefit over taxpayers,” he remarked.
But reservations aside, O’Donnell agreed the recommendation to conditionally open the Trout Road system was a landmark one.
“We were pleased Mr. Darby listened to the public. A lot of people worked real hard to win this war, and I think it works in everyone’s best interest,” he said.
“And it did spawn the Alliance, and that’s a great thing,” added O’Donnell, who also noted the group will remain vigilant on future road access issues.
The MNR proposal released last Wednesday is as follows:
•Trout Road–Signage to read, “Unauthorized access to Entwine Lake and the Trout River system from this road network is prohibited under Section 28(1) of the Public Lands Act.”
•Kinnyu Road–Sign to be placed at the southern end of the Kinnyu Road where it joins the Trout Road. Signage to read: “Unauthorized vehicle use of this road is prohibited from Jan. 1 to Oct. 20 each year. Unauthorized access to the Trout River system from this road network is prohibited year-round.
“These restrictions are issued under the authority of Section 28(1) of the Public Lands Act.”
•Silander Road–Sign to be placed at the northern end of the Silander Road where it joins the Trout Road. Signage to read, “Unauthorized vehicle use of this road is prohibited from Jan. 1 to Oct. 20 each year. Unauthorized access to the Trout River system from this road network is prohibited year-round.
“These restrictions are issued under the authority of Section 28(1) of the Public Lands Act.”
•For other secondary and tertiary roads branching off the Trout Road, including Gator and Irregular Roads, signage to read “Notwithstanding the above, these roads shall be open for public travel year-round unless specific fisheries conservation issues require restrictions on their use, in which case proposed restrictions shall require amendment of the appropriate forest management plan.”
The MNR decision was made after receiving proposals for road use management strategy from all parties involved in the consultation, including Abitibi-Consolidated, the North Western Ontario Tourism Association (NWOTA), the Fort Frances Sportsmen’s Club, and the local Natural Resources Advisory Committee.
Darby previously noted his decision was consistent with direction given in the Fort Frances District Land Use Guidelines and the District Fisheries Management Plan, as well as striving to meet the needs of all parties involved in the consultation:
•remoteness and quality recreation (NWOTA);
•forest resource (Abitibi-Consolidated); and
•a more balanced mix of recreational opportunities (sportsmen’s club).
In related news, the Crossroute Forest Management draft plan–of which the MNR’s recommendations for Trout Road are part of–will go on display at the MNR office here March 5 for a 60-day review period.
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
