Chatham-Kent councillor Steve Pinsonneault is planning on bringing in a motion to put an end to the municipality’s temporary tree-cutting bylaw.
In late April 2021, Chatham-Kent council passed a temporary woodlot conservation bylaw that prohibits clear-cutting of woodlots. The purpose of the temporary bylaw was to give the municipality time to create a permanent woodlot strategy and bylaw.
Pinsonneault said the agriculture community is telling him that the temporary bylaw has dragged on for too long.
“This is just something that has been lingering for over two years and they just want to see this come to a head,” Pinsonneault said.
“We are almost just a year into the new council (term) and it’s time to deal with it.”
Pinsonneault said he’s not worried that there will be a major loss of trees if the temporary bylaw is no longer in place, noting the agriculture community are good stewards of the land.
“I think they’re responsible enough to manage what they do have.”
Pinsonneault is in favour of reverting to the natural heritage strategy approved by Chatham-Kent council in July 2014.
The motion is expected to be discussed at council’s September 25 meeting.
