Submitted by Penny Ratushniak
Steve Semeniuk is a newer member of the Dryden Local Citizen’s Committee (LCAC) serving his second year on the committee. Steve is a long time Dryden resident who was born in Dryden and has lived in Dryden his whole life. For the past 39 years, Steve has worked at the Dryden mill as a Steamfitter/Millwright. Outside of work, Steve is an avid mountain biker which has taken him through trails in Ontario, Alberta, British Columbia and the southern U.S.A. One particular trail system Steve uses all year round and maintains on a regular basis is the Ghost/Mavis Lake Trail system. Steve admits that this particular trail is one of the reasons he joined the LCAC. He wants to ensure that recreation areas on Crown Land are made aware of and protected during the Forest Management operational planning process in the area.
In the past two years, Steve has learned much about Forest Management Planning and how the planning and operational concerns are worked through with forestry companies and government and then presented to the LCAC. He has also learned how diverse the forestry users are in the area, such as forestry workers, trappers, Indigenous communities, recreationalists, and hunters to name a few. Steve wants to continue to learn about forest management and help residents bring any questions or comments forward to the Dryden Local Citizens Committee.
Steve encourages all users of the forest and the general public to take part in the Forest Management Planning process by dropping into the 2019-2029 Wabigoon Forest Management Plan Operations Information Session at the Best Western Plus Dryden Hotel & Conference Centre on Tuesday, February 20th, 2018 from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. or in Ignace on Wednesday, February 21st, 2018 at the Northwoods Motor Inn from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. This is an opportunity for anyone to get involved and review the strategic direction and proposed harvesting, road construction, and renewal activities for the next ten years on the Wabigoon Forest. It is also an excellent opportunity to meet some planning team members and LCAC members and discuss any areas of interest you may have to share. Steve, along with the rest of the Dryden Local Citizens Advisory Committee encourages all interested people to take part in this public opportunity.