ShiningTree Forest Inc.

The Crown Forest Sustainability Act provides for long-term, renewable licenses between the Ministry of Natural Resources and the forest industry. Known as Sustainable Forest Licenses (SFLs), they are issued to companies that, in exchange for harvesting rights, agree to assume responsibility for the ongoing care and maintenance of Ontario Crown forests.

The ShiningTree Forest SFL is a cooperative venture between Abitibi-Consolidated Inc., Domtar Inc. (Elk Lake), Grant Forest Products Inc., Liskeard Lumber Ltd., Norbord Industries Inc., and R. Fryer Forest Products. This group is responsible for the sustainability of the ShiningTree forest, and has contracted Domtar (Timmins) to provide forest management and administrative services.

The ShiningTree license covers 325,000 hectares south of Timmins, and has an annual allowable cut of 3,300 hectares—or just over 1%. Because it contains ecosystems characteristic of both the Boreal forest and the Great Lakes–St. Lawrence forest, the ShiningTree SFL is considered a “transitional forest landscape.” Species harvested include jack pine, white birch, poplar, black and white spruce, cedar and balsam fir.

Clearcutting is the primary harvesting method on the SFL, where foresters seek to mimic the natural pattern of disturbance such as fire. Clearcutting is particularly suited to even-aged stands of jack pine and poplar, which thrive in direct sunlight. However, the shelterwood method—where large trees are left as a seed source and to provide shelter for the regenerating forest—is used for species that prefer shade, such as white pine. Each year, to ensure prompt regeneration, ShiningTree Forest Inc. plants approximately 1,800,000 trees and seeds an additional 400 hectares of jack pine.

Once harvested, timber from the SFL is divided among the shareholders. For example:

• 205,000 cubic metres of SPF (spruce-pine-fir) are distributed annually to sawmills in   Timmins, Elk Lake, Ostrom and Monetville.
• 75,000 cubic metres of aspen are shared between an OSB (oriented-strand-board)   plant in Englehart and a veneer mill in Cochrane.
• Wood chips left over from the lumber making process are transported from the   sawmills to paper mills owned by Abitibi-Consolidated Inc., Domtar Inc. and others,   where they are used to make pulp and paper.

The social and economic fabric of ShiningTree, Westree, Elk Lake, Englehart, Gogama and Timmins are all influenced to varying degrees by the harvesting and regeneration activities that occur on the SFL. The Mattagami First Nation reserve, which is located within the SFL boundary, is also participating in the economic development opportunities. Working with Domtar and Abitibi-Consolidated in the areas of training and development, the Mattagami First Nation is now implementing a long-term business plan.

ShiningTree Forest Inc. is committed to the continual improvement of all woodlands-related activities, and manages for a full range of social, environmental and economic values. Among many other things, the SFL offers top quality fishing and hunting opportunities, accessible via road or air.

For more information, please contact:

ShiningTree Forest Inc.
c/o Domtar Inc., Forest Resources Division
P.O. Box 150, 267 McChesney Rd.
Timmins, ON
P4N 7C9

Tel: (705) 267-3339, extension 207