Hudson residents fighting to save well-used recreational trail, Municipality supporting the effort 

Tim Brody - Editor

Hudson residents are concerned they may lose a well-used recreational trail in their community.
Last Sunday, as part of an effort to save the trail spearheaded by Hudson resident Lesley Starratt, area residents were invited to Hudson for a walk on the trail known locally in Hudson as Johnny Luc’s Road.
“I had a lot of people asking for directions because they wanted to come check it out. I had people just asking if I would take them for a walk down there. I had done that with one lady already. So, my sister and I thought it would be a good idea to just invite people if they wanted to come and check it out for themselves and see what it’s all about and what we’re fighting for.”
“Everybody seemed to enjoy it and they totally understand why we’re trying to save it,” Starratt said following the walk.
A little over a week ago, Starratt started a petition to save Johnny Luc Road, which she made available to sign at her store in Sioux Lookout, CHEERS! Flowers & Gifts. The petition is also available at the Lost Lake Drop-In Centre in Hudson. 
“I discovered there was not going to be a buffer on Johnny Luc’s Road. I had been under the impression there was going to be a buffer. So that is what spurred me on start the petition and have a last ditch effort to save it,” Starratt shared. 
Earlier this spring Hudson residents had expressed concern that proposed harvesting outlined in a “Review of Proposed Operations for the Lac Seul Forest 2024 -2034 Forest Management Plan” cut a little too close to home.
Starratt shared in an Open Letter at the time that she was writing to express her, “opposition to the planned harvesting of trees in the Municipal boundaries of Hudson, extending to Frenchman’s Head Corner.”
The Municipality of Sioux Lookout, in an April 4 letter to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, stated, “The Municipality is opposed to the 2024-2034 planned harvest within the Municipal boundary and adjacent to the community of Hudson. 
“Our Council strongly believes that this plan will have negative impacts on our community that have long been accustomed to using these areas for recreation. The tourism industry will also be negatively impacted by the harvest. For the residents, there is a deep connection to the land and many rely on it to enhance their well-being and quality of life. 
“We urge the MNRF to consider alternatives and implement a plan that prioritizes sustainability and community well-being. We must work together to ensure that our natural resources are preserved for future generations.”
While changes have been made to the Review of Proposed Operation for the Lac Seul Forest 2024 -2034 Forest Management Plan, Starratt said it appears Johnny Luc Road was missed when reworking the plan to protect areas of recreational use in the Hudson area.
Starratt has written to the MNRF regional director requesting issue resolution.
She approached the Municipality of Sioux Lookout about providing a subsequent letter to the MNRF with respect to local concerns regarding the planned harvesting in the Johnny Luc Road (trail) area in Hudson. Council discussed the matter at their Sept. 20 regular council meeting.
Council directed the Mayor to send a follow-up letter in the following resolution, “THAT Council directs the Mayor to send a letter to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry in support of the Issue Resolution appeal submitted by Leslie Starratt regarding the Area of Concern (AOC) in the Lac Seul Forest Management Plan as it relates to the forestry operations in Hudson; and further THAT the letter specifically address the buffer being requested adjacent to the “Johnny Luc’s Road”.
Councillor Joe Cassidy shared during the meeting, “I think there should be a no harvest buffer established around that trail… you look at a trail, they’re treating the value as just the line on a map. The benefit to a trail, or the appeal to a trail is everything you see around the trail.” 
Starratt thanked the Municipality for their support. 
Starratt said the trail is used in a variety of ways, including snowshoeing, hunting, quad riding, hiking, cycling, or just walking the dog. 
Hudson resident Brad Hyslop shared, “Johnny Luc trail is an amazing conservation area that’s been utilized by the residents of Hudson for decades… For Hudson it’s like our Cedar Bay trail (recently named the Howard Lockhart Trail).”
Nicole Rose, another Hudson resident, shared, “It’s hard to put into words what Johnny Luc’s and the surrounding area means to me. Walking the trails here brings me a peace that I cannot describe. The tallness of the trees, the whisper of the wind in the upper branches; the quietness of the place, disturbed only by the sounds of wildlife, has carried me through the worst of times. Memories of family and friend outings to berry pick or gather wood for the winter. Random meet ups with other Hudson and Lac Seul people who are hunting or gathering deadfall, greetings and conversations, solidifying friendships and the closeness that this community has always had. The loss of these areas would be personally devastating.”