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April 30, 1999
Addressed to a Third Party Applicant
RE: Proposed Tree Removal - Wilfrid Bog
Location: Part Lot 7, Concession 11
Municipality: Township of Brock
File: 4.9.8.1
Further to your letter of April 7, 1999 and our
recent telephone conversations, it is my understanding that you
propose to remove certain select trees (Pine, Tamarack and possibly
some Maple) from a property owned by Bloom Maker Soil Inc.,
approximately 65 acres in size. Although this proposal to remove
certain select trees within the subject wood lot may be in accordance
with good forestry practice, the entire wood lot is situated within
an environmentally sensitive area and an Area of Natural and
Scientific Interest known as the Wilfrid Bog.
Section 3 (2) of the Durham Conservation By Law
states that no person shall destroy by cutting, burning or other
means any tree located in a Sensitive Natural Area, subject to
exceptions. These exceptions include trees that are removed in
accordance with good forestry practice. In the Forestry Act, good
forestry practices "means the proper implementation of harvest,
renewal and maintenance activities known to be appropriate for the
forest and environmental conditions under which they are being
applied and that minimize detriments to forest values including
significant ecosystems, important fish and wildlife habitat, soil and
water quality, forest productivity and health and the aesthetics and
recreational opportunities of the landscape.
The Wilfrid Bog is and extremely significant
natural feature with many plants and ecological conditions that are
uncommon in this part of the province. Forest clearing and peat
extraction would not be considered compatible with the long term
health and sustainability of this natural system. Any forest
management planning (i.e. tree removal) or any proposed operations
being considered in sensitive natural area, such as the Wilfrid Bog,
requires the advice and guidance of forestry and ecological experts.
In several recent telephone conversations with
Ministry of Natural Resources staff, I was made aware that, in
consideration of the sensitivity of this area, a site inspection by
the Ministry would be necessary to determine whether the proposal to
remove certain select trees within the Wilfrid Bog would constitute
"good forestry practice".
Staff from the Ministry or myself will contact
you very soon to make arrangements to meet on site. In the meantime,
if you have any inquiries, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Yours Truly,
Richard Szarek
Planner
Current Operations Branch
cc: Greg Bales - Ministry of Natural Resources |
