MINUTES
WOODLOT COMMITTEE
October 10, 2006
A meeting was held at the County Building at 9:00 a.m. on the above date.
Present
Chair Wm. Bilton, Warden Jim Burns. Member: B. MacDougall. Also present were Deputy-Secretary-Treasurer M. Pauschenwein and Woodlot Inspector C. Nauta.
Absent
None.
Application W-006/06 Mark & Lori Hall
Concession 13, S ½ Lot 5
6674 La Salle Line
Township of Brooke-Alvinston
The owner has applied for an exemption from the provisions of By-law 45 of 2003 of the County of Lambton, being “A by-law to prohibit or regulate the destruction or injuring of trees” in respect to a woodlot which is located on the property noted above.
Attending the meeting were Mark Hall applicant and Roy Hall a brother of the applicant. The applicant stated that he wishes to remove approximately 1 acre of woodlot. This portion of bush is located in the middle of a field and about 200’ from his other bush. He cannot get through on the west side of his property with the sprayer because of this 1 acre portion.
C. Nauta read her report which stated that the wooded area does indeed protrude into the workable area of the agricultural lands. Provided that the applicants agree to utilize the trees for firewood or lumber stock and not burn them in piles, this department would request a 1:1 replant ratio. If the applicants wish to replant on their property a detailed site plan indicating location and species will be required and approved prior to any agreements being entered into with the County of Lambton.
B. MacDougall asked if he would be willing to replant. Mr. Hall replied that he would like to remove the 1 acre and replant adjacent to his other bush.
#1: Burns/MacDougall: That the County of Lambton Woodlot Committee make recommendation to County Council that Application W-006/06 be approved and that the applicant enter into an agreement with the County for the 1:1 ratio replanting.
Carried.
Application W-004/06 Robert Edward & Marjorie Gail Rawlings
Concession 3, East Part Lot 1
Concession 2, Part Lot 1
Part of Road Allowance between Con. 2 & 3
2984 Churchill Line
City of Sarnia
Robert and Marjorie Rawlings have applied for an exemption from the provisions of By-law 45 of 2003 of the County of Lambton, being "A by-law to prohibit or regulate the destruction or injuring of trees" in respect to a woodlot which is located on the property noted above.
This application was heard by the Woodlot Committee on June 13, 2006, at which time the Committee deferred the decision on the application until consultation with the St. Clair Region Conservation Authority takes place and a plan is presented to Committee.
Attending the meeting was the owner Robert Rawlings, Malcolm Boyd representing Lambton Wildlife and Donald Craig of the St. Clair Region Conservation Authority (SCRCA).
C. Nauta submitted her report which included all previous information that was circulated at the first meeting, correspondence received from Malcolm Boyd at the meeting and the report of Mr. Donald Craig of the SCRCA. Her report also stated that the following conditions be met:
1) That the reports dated June 5, 2006 and August 3, 2006 submitted by Donald Craig RPF of the SCRCA be accepted and utilized to meet the requirements within all agreements entered.
2) That a 2:1 replant ratio be imposed on the property with trees replanted on the property with regard being taken for protection of the adjoining woodlot and any remaining trees be replanted on the property or monies received in lieu for replanting elsewhere within the City of Sarnia, with consultation from Community Services and Mike Schnare.
3) That a site plan be submitted stating area for replant within the property and species. This plan would be subject to approval by the Woodlot Officer. Consultation from a registered professional forester or arborist could be helpful in this process, for compliance with adjoining woodlot concerns.
D. Craig discussed his report and he stated that a 17’ wide section of trees would have to be replanted which would be 2 rows of trees. The interior row next to the woodlot could be silver maple, nannyberry or June-berry. All will tolerate some shade.
Shrubs should be used on the outside row South because they can be periodically pruned back or mowed down and will regenerate quickly. These could include grey dogwood and staghorn sumac on the dry portions of the site. Silky dogwood, red osier dogwood or American highbush cranberry could be planted in the wetter areas.
B. MacDougall questioned the applicant regarding a tree planting plan. Did he realize that he needed to generate a plan with the assistance of the SCRCA and submit it to the office in order for an agreement to be produced?
Mr. Rawlings asked why a 2:1 replant ratio has been established. He was told it was imposed after the first Woodlot Committee meeting in June and because it was an after the fact application.
#2: Burns/MacDougall: That the County of Lambton Woodlot Committee make recommendation to County Council that Application W-004/06 be approved with the conditions stated in the Woodlot Officer’s report dated September 26, 2006 and that the applicant enter into an agreement with the County of Lambton to replant on a 2:1 in area basis and that the agreement be signed by November 30, 2006. Carried.
There was a discussion regarding the existing By-law. The Woodlot Officer stated that she attended a Forestry Officers meeting recently and was told that many loggers think that the Lambton County by-law is unenforceable and that Lambton County is the only one that does not have basal cut in its by-law. D. Craig stated that he doesn’t think that basal cut should be included in the by-law because of the species of trees in Lambton. The Woodlot Officer also stated that many counties can ticket loggers on the spot if they haven’t sent in a “Notice of Intent”.
#3: MacDougall/Burns: That the County of Lambton Woodlot Committee make recommendation to County Council that staff investigate the existing by-law and work with the SCRCA to direct more responsible forestry management and that a report be brought back to Committee. Carried.
Adjournment
The Chair declared the meeting adjourned.
Time: 10:40 a.m.
William Bilton
Chair
Madeline Pauschenwein
Deputy-Secretary-Treasurer