A three-year pilot project for a natural heritage implementation strategy was approved by council.
Jennifer Lawrence, a consultant hired by the municipality, provided a presentation to council outlining the strategy she helped develop.
“Woodlots are in decline, as are wetlands and grasslands,” Lawerence said. To maintain the health of the natural heritage in Chatham-Kent “it will require everyone’s involvement.”
The project will be managed through the Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority.
Wallaceburg Coun. Sheldon Parsons said he beleives the strategy does not provide “proper controls” to stop the “one per cent that caused the problem in the first place.
“I think we need a by-law. It is unfortunate that wasn’t a part of the package,” he said.
East Kent Coun. Steve Pinsonneault said he views this strategy as a “compromise.
“Not everyone will be happy but I see this as somewhere in the middle,” he said.
South Kent Coun. Art Stirling said the report is a huge step forward.
“You have been working under a microscope,” he said. “This has never been an attack on agriculture. It has been an attack on the one per cent of farm operators who disregarded the natural heritage” on their properties.
Stirling added he feels this strategy does not fully fix the problem.
Chatham Coun. Derek Robertson entered an unsuccessful motion to include the woodlot conservation by-law along with the strategy.
“No issue during this time on council has consumed more time,” he said. “The strategy needs to go hand-in-hand with the by-law.”
The motion did not receive two thirds vote to suspend the rules to vote on the by-law without giving notice.
East Kent Coun. Jim Brown said the major tree cutting in C-K took place when the “threat” of a by-law was present.
“I could almost hear the chain saws starting up,” Brown said. “The (strategy) opens the door for everyone to work together.”
The strategy will start on Sept. 1 at a one-time cost of $47,000.
Future funding would have to be requested in future budget years.
