Wolf Lake contains the world…

Wolf Lake contains the world's largest remaining old-growth red pine forest, making it a significant ecological area.
Exploration activity in this area will negative impact on not only the ecosystem of the area but also the social value of Wolf Lake, seeing as 3 of the sites applied for are favoured campsites.

Twenty-one years ago, the provincial government made a commitment to protect Wolf Lake old growth forest. On March 13th 2012, the MNR that Wolf Lake would retain it’s status as a Forest Reserve and that the land would be protect. This makes it clear that our government understands the importance of this ecological area. I am a citizen of Sudbury who has enjoyed Wolf Lake and who is concerned for the ecological well being of this area and our planet. This is why I believe the application for exploration activities should not be approved.

The Wolf Lake Coalition has already provided many reasons why exploration activities would be detrimental, including:

The proposes mechanized stripping, pitting and trenching, and line cutting within the heart of the old growth, adding to impacts from past applications within Wolf Lake and in adjacent areas. The proposed activities would cause heavy and unacceptable damage including new access and trails causing erosion and habitat fragmentation, damage to creek beds and shorelines, damage to and removal of trees (including old growth), removal of vegetation and soil, use of heavy equipment, excavation, and
disturbance of campsites and canoe routes.

Sscrutiny of Flag Resources mineral exploration applications should ensure that, if permisions be granted, that proper care be taken in the area.
Flag Resources has a poor record during mining exploration at this site and
nearby areas. For example, oil spills, rutting of soils (including streambeds) by movement of heavy machinery, and abandoned equipment and refuse have been observed. How will it be ensured that this does not happen again? Should Flag Resources not be responsible for first rectifying the damage caused before they are granted new permits?

The Wolf Lake coalition has also outlined many ways that harm to the area be minimized if permissions be granted to Flag Resources.
Conditions include:
(a) prohibit removal of trees greater than 10cm dbh (these small trees can be very old due to local
growing conditions); (b) specify where work is permitted (excluding the most sensitive areas and favoured campsite, and not permitting work elsewhere within the lease or in adjacent claims); (c) require winter operations only (e.g Dec, 21- March 31) and require access across the frozen lake (to avoid creating new trails/roads or exacerbating past damage and erosion on trails and creek crossings); (d) require that damage and material from past or current exploration activities be cleaned up.
Consultations with the Wahnapite First Nation should also be done.

However, due to track record, and poor enforcement of rules that can be seen in the past, I once again would like to make the case that this application not be approved.

I hope you take into account the ecological importance of this area, the poor track record of Flag Resources, and the importance this area holds for the residents of the area and of the district of Greater Sudbury.

Thank you