Inquiry on the measures taken to address the "Kanata Tree Massacre"

Submitted March 31, 2003 to the General Manager, Development Services

April 2003 is the first anniversary of the "Kanata Tree Massacre."

The Ottawa Forests Advisory Committee would like to request an update from staff about the measures taken in response to this incident of tree cutting. In particular we would like:

• progress report on the measures taken to draft a Woodland Preservation Bylaw (originally referred to as a Trees Bylaw and scheduled for the fall and winter of 2002)
• a progress report on measures taken to ameliorate the impact of the tree cutting upon the affected NEA lands
• a progress report on the negotiations regarding compensatory measures including tree planting and the transfer of land of equal ecological value.

Appendix:

In July, 2002, Council carried the following staff recommendations without amendment.

REPORT RECOMMENDATIONS That Planning and Development Committee recommend Council approve that:

1. Development Services Department recruit a consultant to implement the proposed interim solutions for tree preservation in consultation with Transportation, Utilities and Public Works Department;

2. Staff prepare a draft Trees Bylaw under the Municipal Act, to be tabled with Committee and Council for public consultation in the fall; and

3. That the Trees Bylaw be developed in two stages: 1) preparation of a draft bylaw that applies to the urban and village areas, presented to Planning & Development Committee in the fall of 2002; 2) develop a recommended approach in rural areas through consultation with rural stakeholders during the fall of 2002 with a report to follow by the end of the year.