Bearing witness.
That’s what’s behind a pair of protests that noticed the Raging Grannies group picket two rural properties in East Kent Sunday the place current tree reducing has occurred.
“It’s so alarming,” stated member Rageen Granny. “It doesn’t take a lot to take down a woodlot.
“We’re simply making an attempt to make a degree,” she stated, including members had been “bearing witness” to the degradation of the forest.
Group members, who by no means determine themselves publicly, have been lively over the previous 12 months, taking a stand to guard Chatham-Kent’s dwindling forest cowl.
Spokeswoman Rageen stated 10 folks braved the chilly on Botany Line and Zone Highway 2 close to Thamesville Sunday to quietly protest the clearing of bushes.
She stated she hoped the municipality will take motion and likewise criticized the very fact there’s no preventative laws in place.
“What’s the sense in having a bylaw in case you don’t implement it?” Rageen requested, including landowners ought to want permission earlier than clearing bushes on their land.
In contrast to neighbouring municipalities, Chatham-Kent doesn't have a allow course of in place governing tree reducing and clear reducing.
Nonetheless, there's the non permanent bylaw handed by Chatham-Kent council final 12 months prohibiting landowners from clearing bushes in woodlot areas greater than 0.2 hectares (half an acre) in dimension. Initially handed in April 2021, council has prolonged it twice. It stays in impact till April 30.
The bylaw states anybody discovered responsible of contravening the bylaw could possibly be fined as much as $100,000.
The municipality introduced Monday it's investigating complaints that woodlots in East Kent are being cleared of bushes, presumably in violation of Chatham-Kent’s non permanent bylaw.
In a Jan. 24 media launch, Paul Lacina, director of constructing growth providers (BDS) and bylaw enforcement said officers are wanting into the difficulty.
“BDS can affirm that these newest allegations of clear reducing on the finish of final week have been reported to the municipality and bylaw enforcement employees are investigating these issues additional,” Lacina stated.
No additional remark will probably be supplied, he added, as it's an ongoing investigation.
A number of tree-cutting incidents have been reported to the municipality because the bylaw was enacted, however no expenses have been laid so far.
To report an incident or for additional inquires on the non permanent clear reducing bylaw contact constructing growth providers at 519-360-1998 or e-mail shellyb@chatham-kent.ca. Landowners who plan to selectively harvest bushes are urged to contact the municipality previous to enterprise the work.