Region poised to take on woodlands role
Bylaw would restore enforcement of woodland conservation after deal with NPCA ended
Niagara Region may be taking back responsibility for protecting local woodlands, after politicians voted to end an agreement with the NPCA to provide services.
Niagara planning and economic development committee members approved a new woodland conservation bylaw at their Wednesday meeting, directing staff to terminate the municipality’s 2008 agreement with Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority to administer and enforce the bylaw, and to hire a regional forester to provide services internally.
The $108,985 the Region pays for the service would be redirected to covering costs associated with the forester position.
Britney Fricke, the Region’s senior planner, said NPCA is in support of changes in the bylaw, including the enforcement plan.
Committee members, however, also heard opposing perspectives on the new bylaw, with delegations from Chuck Mcshane representing Niagara Home Builders’ Association and environmentalist John Bacher.
Mcshane said the bylaw could “add a layer of bureaucracy, extensive time delays and extra costs for obtaining building permits.”
“What is the scientific or regulatory basis for requiring all trees to be protected beyond 15 metres from a structure footprint? How does this fit into the Region’s jurisdiction and mandate?” Mcshane asked.
He said a shortage of arborists would create a logistical problem for anyone trying to get a permit to meet bylaw requirements.
Bacher is concerned the bylaw doesn’t do enough to facilitate the restoration of woodlots that have been damaged.
“My understanding of how the bylaw is supposed to work is there’s supposed to be restoration plantings of young trees of a certain age, not just allow the area to regrow,” he said. “You’re supposed to actually plant trees and speed recovery. This is the real teeth of the penalties. It’s a much harder penalty than just an individual fine per tree.”
Fricke said woodlands that fall under Niagara’s jurisdiction must be at least one hectare in size, unless local municipalities delegate responsibility for smaller woodlots to the Region.
F rick es aid five municipalities have opted to do so, including Grimsby, Niagara Falls, Niagara-on-the-lake, West Lincoln and St. Catharines.
Individual trees can only be protected when otherwise designated as being significant, she said.
The revamped bylaw will disband an external advisory committee because it is not required by the Municipal Act and Niagara is the only municipality in the province that had one. If approved by regional council, the bylaw would come into effect at the end of January 2021, to allow time to hire a forester.