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Harvesting
St. Marys Paper is a main forest
industry employer in Sault Ste Marie and as such plays an instrumental role in
the Algoma Region’s economy and in providing employment stability. The forest
industry is dependent on a secure wood supply for their long-term survival. Wood
supply is obtained from public sources (such as Crown land in Ontario and State
lands in Michigan) and from private landowners.
St. Marys Paper’s wood supply is delivered to the mill in
8 foot pulpwood lengths by truck or by rail. The mill utilizes
black spruce, white spruce, balsam fir and poplar. Fibre
quality is very important in producing quality SCA paper, as
such pulpwood is selectively used in the mill based on age,
species, time of harvest, and moisture content. The mill is
currently receiving wood from Provincial Forests and private
landowners in Ontario and Federal, State, and Private lands
in the United States. The mill consumes approximately
380,000 m3 on an annual basis.
St. Marys Paper Corp. plans, coordinates and supervises harvest contractors who
are responsible for harvesting and road construction. Harvest contractors have a
challenging responsibility to adhere to environmental and safety rules, while
ensuring operations are productive and meet quality standards. Wood is obtained
from each harvesting contractor via wood purchase contracts and is from known
source supplier declaration.
 Harvesting
is based on ecological principles and the best science available to maintain the
health of forest ecosystems, while providing social and economic benefits.
Harvesting operations are conducted in accordance with a set of guidelines and
regulations outlined in a forest
management plan. Forest are managed to ensure renewal,
water quality, fish and wildlife habitat and biodiversity objectives are met.
Individual prescriptions are developed to protect specific forest values, such
as riparian reserves on streams and lakes. Harvesting operations emulate natural
disturbances on the landscape such as fires, storms, winds, droughts, and forest
pests. Harvesting operations are designed to establish a range of patches
similar to the ones created by natural disturbances. Specific forest stands are
identified on a number of criteria such as species, age, height, quality, and
operability. Harvest allocations selected meet the volume and product needs of
various mills.
Harvesting systems are designed to maximize the value of the forest for the
benefit of present and
future generations. During the management planning process forest stands are
delineated and stand information is collected through photo interpretation and
verification of timber cruising. The most suitable harvesting system is applied
to each stand to meet harvesting objectives to minimize site disturbance, avoid
rutting and compaction, and to protect forest values. Block scheduling of
harvesting operations is designed around various factors such as soil and site
conditions, species, seasons and weather, access and to meet the needs of other
resource users Scheduling is also dependant on contractor and equipment
availability.
| Roads
 Forest
roads are an important component of sustainable forest management. Roads
are constructed to provide access for forest management activities
including harvesting, regenerating and tending. A well planned, properly
constructed and maintained road is essential to minimize environmental
site disturbances. Proper road construction will prevent erosion,
watershed disturbances and ensure long-term stability of the road.
Proper drainage is the
most important factor in controlling sedimentation and soil erosion.
Drainage structures such a culvert and bridges help maintain the
movement of waterflow and the movement of fish and other aquatic
species. Maintenance of forest roads is essential for the safety of all
road users. Roads are maintained by grading surfaces, replacing water
crossings over time, stabilizing banks, roadside brushing and erecting
proper signage.
Planning a road location is an important process for providing adequate
access for forest management activities while balancing environmental,
safety and economic benefits. Professional forest managers determine
road locations by assessing topography, slope and curves, stream
locations, culverts and bridges required to access harvesting
allocations.
Each water crossing is sized according to the hydrological conditions
and installed in accordance with the Environmental Guidelines for Access
Roads and Water Crossing. Approval by the Ministry of Natural Resources
is required to install a culvert or bridge across any permanent or
intermittent stream. The installation timing of both culverts and
bridges is critical to protecting water quality and fisheries and
aquatic life. Installation is generally completed during the summer when
water levels are low or at a normal flow and were the risk of
sedimentation, erosion and site disturbance are minimized.
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| Safety
 During
harvest operations the safety of forestry workers is of the outmost
importance. Health and Safety manuals are developed by the SFL holders
which are reviewed and distributed to all contractors working on the
land base. To ensure that harvesting operations are in compliance with
the regulations stated in the Health and Safety manual, regular audits
are carried out at all work sites. Contractors are obligated to conduct
a monthly audit of each employee and equipment. Company staff review
these audits and conduct on-site quarterly safety audits with logging
contractors. An annual safety meeting is held each spring for all
forestry workers to provide training and updates to the Health and
Safety Manual.
Provincially owned forests are subject to an independent forest audit
once every five year to review operations and to assess forest
management activities carried out in the previous five years. Clergue
Forest Management audit conducted in 2006 was highly successful and
recommended that the license be renewed. The Northshore will be under
going another independent audit in 2007. The independent audits
demonstrate the companies and policies are achieving forest
sustainability.
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