The Municipality of Chatham-Kent is moving forward with implementing a natural heritage advisory committee of Council.
A temporary clear cutting by-law was also extended for another 120 days by Council at their virtual meeting on August 23, 2021.
In a unanimous vote, Council directed administration to prepare a terms of reference for the creation of the committee, which will be considered at the September 27, 2021 Council meeting.
In an 11-7 vote, Council amended the temporary by-law, which was originally implemented back in April, to expire on December 14, 2021 at 11:59 p.m.
Wallaceburg Councillor Aaron Hall, who entered the successful motion on April 26 of this year, said forming the committee and extending the by-law, which was being recommended by staff, was “the most responsible action” Council could take at this time.
“As I indicated in the spring, based on lessons learned in 2013 when this topic was last before Council, I strongly believe that the temporary by-law should be in place, while we continue to engage, gather data and carry on this important conversation, all while striving for a long-term solution,” Hall said.
The approved motion in April had directed staff to consider an incentive program, launch a full public consultation process, conduct an analysis of best practices for incentive programs and woodlot preservation across Ontario, update the current natural heritage policy and the by-law from February 11, 2013.
The findings from the public consultation process were provided in a staff report, which can be read, here.
“The passion from the community on this topic was evident, and that certainly rings true today,” Hall said, adding that environmental sustainability is a priority for this term of Council and is a focus for Chatham-Kent’s strategic plan and vision statement.
“We are being consistent to the priorities we approved at the start of this term. Let’s continue to foster productive dialogue on this important issue… and empower the community, so we can place a Chatham-Kent stamp on this topic, now and for future generations.”
The staff report indicates the public consultation process generated over 3,500 comments from over 1,500 participants.
Members of the Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority (LTVCA) also confirmed during Monday’s meeting that a municipal-wide Geographic Information Systems (GIS) based tree canopy and natural cover change assessment for the years 2010, 2015 and 2020 is underway.
Mark Peacock, the chief administrative officer for the LTVCA, said the assessment results will be completed and shared by October of this year.
West Kent Councillor Melissa Harrigan said this data from the LTVCA is the “missing piece of the puzzle” in the process.
“We owe this to our community to take the time to do this right,” Harrigan added.
A total of 22 deputations from members of the community were read at Monday’s meeting as well, some for, and some opposed to implementing regulation on private woodlots.
