Chatham-Kent council made a bold move at their meeting last night, putting in place a temporary bylaw preventing clear-cutting effective immediately and expiring in 120 days. The purpose of the temporary bylaw is to pause clear-cutting and open up communication with the community about woodlot preservation.
Over the next few months the municipality will engage with public about tree cover, with discussions including an analysis of best practices for incentives and woodlot preservation across the province. The municipality will also take a look at Chatham-Kent’s current natural heritage policy.
A report with recommendations featuring all findings, analysis, feedback, update polices and bylaws will come back to council within the next three months.
Wallaceburg councillor Aaron Hall, who brought forward the motion, said one of the priorities of the current council is environmental sustainability. Chatham-Kent’s tree cover is one of the lowest in the province.
“I’m confident that this new approach is a responsible way to start the conservation once again,” Hall said.
David Taylor, the municipality’s director of legal services, said the bylaw is focused on clear-cutting, not maintenance cutting, noting the bylaw doesn’t prohibit all tree cutting.
“It’s not a you can’t cut any trees whatsoever, (the bylaw) is intended to capture clear-cutting,” Taylor said.