RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER STANDARDS AND PLANNING PROCESSES

Park Management Plan

The Algonquin Provincial Park Management Plan (1998) establishes the framework for all activities within Algonquin Park.  The plan specifies land use planning by zones, including forest management in a Recreation-Utilization Zone.

Forest Management Plan

Forest management activities in the Algonquin Park Forest are governed by the 2010-2020 Forest Management Plan (FMP) which was written in accordance with relevant provincial guidelines and manuals and the Algonquin Provincial Park Management Plan.  A summary of the 2010-2020 FMP can be found at this location.

The objective of forest management on Crown land in Ontario is "to ensure the long-term health of our forest ecosystems for the benefit of the local and global environments, while enabling present and future generations to meet their material and social needs”.  Since forested land provides a range of values and opportunities to the public, its management must be planned in a manner that recognizes the requirements of other uses.  This aspect of planning is accomplished by the Park Superintendent and District Manager of Algonquin Park who establishes a team of resource managers to provide input and review during the planning process.  The planning team ensures that all resources are considered. A local citizens committee (LCC) assisted the plan author (AFA) and the planning team in the preparation of the 2010-2020 Algonquin Park Forest Management Plan.

Environmental Management System

AFA has an environmental management system (EMS) registered to the ISO14001: 2004 standard, which provides a framework for planning, implementing and monitoring sustainable forestry operations in the Forest.  The EMS addresses many of the CAN/CSA Z809 SFM system requirements. In addition to the EMS, the AFA also measures indicators of sustainability as required by the Forest Management Planning Manual for Ontario’s Crown Forest (FMPM).  By meeting the forest management planning requirements and having an approved forest management plan, the AFA meets many, but not all of the CAN/CSA Z809 Public Participation and SFM Performance requirements.   The approved management plan and a functioning ISO 14001 EMS system, therefore contribute significantly to satisfying the requirements of the CAN/CSA-Z809 SFM standard.