Marlborough Forest Citizens' Group

Draft terms of reference

MANDATE

• To ensure that a mechanism exists for effective communications on issues concerning Marlborough Forest.
• To assist the City of Ottawa in the management and care of the Marlborough Forest in a way that will retain the important natural values of the forest over the long term.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• To facilitate the resolution of disputes over use of the forest and its resources
• To recommend guidelines for uses and assist in communicating those guidelines
• To review proposals for the use of the lands and resources of Marlborough Forest as requested by the City of Ottawa
• To obtain financial support as needed for communication and approved projects

The Marlborough Forest Citizens' Group (MFCG) will report to the City of Ottawa through Forestry Services. (This does not preclude the MFCG from appealing to the Ottawa Forests and Greenspace Advisory Committee (OFGAC) or to Council through OFGAC if warranted.)

STRUCTURE

The MFCG is made up of members of OFGAC, government agencies, and representatives of local stakeholder groups, who are dedicated to the sustainable management of the natural resources of the lands known locally as the Marlborough Forest.

Stakeholder groups are listed in Schedule A of this document. Additional stakeholder groups may be included if they are contributing to the sustainable development of Marlborough Forest. Membership must be approved by the MFCG, OFGAC, and the City of Ottawa's Forestry Services and will be reviewed annually.

MFCG will meet at least once a year to make recommendations to Forestry Services by December 15. Other meetings will be called as required. All members (including ex officio members) will be notified of all meetings. MFCG will hold an annual open public meeting to keep all interested parties informed about the status of the MFCG and its activities in Marlborough Forest; this open meeting will also allow any member of the public to raise an issue or concern.

Administration Committee
This committee will be made up of, as a minimum, the lead people from each of the working groups and representatives of the City of Ottawa's Forestry Services and OFGAC, and will function by consensus. Any disagreements will be forwarded to the City Forester, for resolution. The City Forester, a representative of the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, and the Program Manager, Environmental Management, will be ex-officio members of this committee and all working groups.

Working Groups
Any member of MFCG is encouraged to join any working group of their choice. Any lead can be removed by a majority vote of all working group members.

Each working group will meet at least once annually and on an "as required" basis to provide recommendations to the lead. Correspondence by email is encouraged and, on approval by the Administration Committee, can be considered a meeting.

Working groups under the following four themes are proposed:

Communications: To undertake fundraising initiatives, create and maintain an up-to-date website and e-mail distribution list and create a listserv for correspondence between all involved parties.

Ecology and Interpretation: To identify and provide interpretation opportunities in the forest to foster a strong understanding of sustainable resource management. This will be accomplished by promoting the scientific understanding of biodiversity and by assisting in the protection of the ecological features and values of the Marlborough Forest.

Forest Resource: To assist in the implementation of workplans to manage the resources of Marlborough Forest in a sustainable manner.

Recreation: To identify and assist in the implementation of recreational activities that maximize opportunities for all Marlborough Forest users and user groups in a safe and sustainable manner.

Each working group will select a lead person who will represent their interests on the Administration Committee, convene all meetings or information exchanges and will be responsible for bringing all recommendations to the attention of MFCG.

ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT

The City of Ottawa's Forestry Services will provide administrative support for the MFCG and will coordinate forest resource management responsibilities for Marlborough Forest. The City Forester will be responsible for all files, documents, and maps relating to the Marlborough Forest.

AMENDMENTS

Any amendments to this document will require the approval of the MFCG, OFGAC, and the City Forester.

Schedule A
Marlborough Forest Stakeholders

• Landowners (resident and non-resident)
• Ottawa Forests and Greenspace Advisory Committee
• Hunters (The Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters)
• Trappers (Ottawa-Carleton Trappers Council)
• Rideau Trail Association
• Ottawa Field-Naturalists Club
• Snowmobilers (Rideau Snowmobile Club and Richmond Snow Rovers Snowmobile Club)
• ATVs (currently not united, but Trails Ontario may combine snowmobilers and ATVers in one organization) · Ottawa Valley Offroaders
• Ruffed Grouse Society
• Ducks Unlimited (if they are funding a project)
• Councillor, Rideau Ward
• Councillor, Goulbourn Ward
• City of Ottawa Forestry and Environmental Management staff
• Ottawa Police Department
• Ottawa Fire Service
• Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (Kemptville District)
• Department of Fisheries and Oceans
• Rideau Valley Conservation Authority
• Ottawa Extreme Paintball
• Friends of the Jock