Domtar’s Public Advisory Group heads for the trees

News — 25 August 2010

Domtar hosted another information filled day for its Public Advisory Group (PAG) on Wednesday, August 18.

Hosting a field tour, members of the PAG were taken on a day long tour of different forestry operations and situations in our local Wabigoon Forest.

PAG is a group of interested stakeholders who share the landbase with Domtar, including trappers, hunters, anglers, tourist operators, educators, First Nations representatives and municipal leaders.

“It’s nice to be able to show our group and demonstrate to members of the public that its not just about cutting down trees and that we regenerate the forest and have a variety of ways and science that go into that,” said Dianne Loewen of Domtar’s Dryden Forestlands Operations.

Having to achieve many standards for two different certifications, Domtar has a lot of measurables to reach. Striving for certification in Forest Stewardship Council as well as Canadian Standards Association, PAG assists Domtar with reaching these measurables.

“These certifications take us above and beyond what we need to do in terms of forest management and what the government requires,” says Loewen. “Achieving these levels allows Domtar to put the certification brands on the product for higher marketability.”

Beginning the day with an information session at the scale house at the Domtar mill, the group was then taken to watch some of the bush operations in business.

Having the opportunity to see how the chippers worked, loading a truck and speak with the bush operators was very informative to many who have never seen the actual functions of the large equipment.

Following that, members of PAG were taken to an area of concern, where a beaver dam has caused the destruction of a bridge, and a species-at-risk had been sighted.

Many questions were asked regarding the species-at-risk sighting, and Domtar representatives explained that the company policy is to shut down operations when a species-at-risk is sighted.

All operators carry identification cards that show the different types of species they have to watch for.

The afternoon brought information on different types of forestry health concerns, and the grafting of trees at one of Domtar’s orchard sites.

The day wrapped up with a debriefing back at the Scale House, and the opportunity to answer any questions the Public Advisory Group may have had.

Domtar reports to PAG annually on variables of certification including such examples as working with First Nations partners, using pesticides, and harvest levels. The purpose of the tour is to take the PAG out to see and understand some of the things discussed at the annual meetings.

PAG requested two new members be added to the group previously, including Alison Gamble and Michelle Arsenault as youth participants.

Although Arsenault will be resigning to head off to post secondary, her input was appreciated with the group.

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