Fort Erie Strengthens Commitment To Preserve And Protect Natural Heritage

Town’s Council Passes Stronger Bylaw for Protecting and Preserving Trees

News Release from the Town of Fort Erie in Niagara, Ontario

Posted March 21st, 2024 on Niagara At Large

A Brief Foreword by Doug Draper, reporter/publisher, Niagara At Large – 

At a time when so much  news about the state of our environment, regionally, nationally and globally, is pretty grim, it is encouraging and should be a motivator for us all to get some good news every once in a while.

So on the good news front, I encourage you to read the news release below from the Town of Fort Erie which offers hope that it is possible for municipal councils to work together with citizens in the community to put measures in place for better protecting our natural environment.

Marcie Jacklin, a Fort Erie resident and leading member of a citizens group called Community Voices of Fort Erie which, among other matters related to natural heritage preservation, remains dedicated to saving as much of Waverly Woods as possible near the Town’s Lake Erie shore from urban sprawl, made a presentation to the Town’s council while the new tree bylaw was still under review.

She offered this statement to Niagara At Large on the outcome – “I think this Tree Bylaw is a good starting point. It clearly demonstrates that the Fort Erie Town Council and staff are working on controlling the unauthorized clearing of land by developers in Fort Erie. This bylaw will also help to maintain and enhance The town of Fort Erie’s natural assets.”

Now here is the news release from the Town of Fort Erie 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

FORT ERIE , Ontario – On March 18, 2024, the Town of Fort Erie Council approved By-law 33-2024: To Regulate the Destruction or Injuring of Trees within the Town of Fort Erie.

Town Council directed staff to initiate an updated “Tree by-law” that increases protection measures of natural heritage features, controls unnecessary tree removal, and identifies replanting obligations to preserve the vast urban area tree canopy in Fort Erie.

Preservation of natural heritage aligns directly with three pillars of the Town’s Strategic Plan:

• Environmental and Climate Change Resiliency.
• Quality of Life and Community Well-Being.
• Sustainable and Managed Growth.

“Fort Erie Town Council identified environmental protection and the preservation of natural heritage as a high priority in its vision and Strategic Plan.  The new, updated By-law to regulate the destruction or injuring of trees improves on the previous version by increasing protective measures, reducing unnecessary tree removals, requiring replanting obligations and protects a much larger range of properties and, ultimately, preservation of the overall tree canopy.”– Chris McQueen, Chief Administrative Officer

Tree canopy retention has many benefits and is essential to our Natural Heritage System, providing community benefits both environmentally and economically including:

• increased shade resulting in less energy consumption in summer months;
• reduction of winter winds, resulting in less energy consumption in winter months;
• stabilization of soils and slopes;
• natural carbon sequestering of CO2 (safely storing it within woody plants and grasslands as part of photosynthesis);
• wildlife habitats;
• and increases physical enjoyment and mental well-being for residents.

“The Tree Harvesting By-Law affirms Council’s commitment to protecting and preserving our natural heritage for this and future generations.  We are fortunate to live in the community with Niagara’s greatest tree canopy, but that is no reason for complacency in the face of climate change and the pressures accompanying growth.  Staff has done a remarkable job providing Council with a by-law that balances growth and protects our natural heritage.” – Mayor Wayne Redekop

(By-law 33-2024) was created to combat several ongoing issues related to tree removal within the Town of Fort Erie, including:

• Tree removal before planning act approval;
• Reduction in density due to the impact of the Emerald Ash Borer on Ash trees;
• Invasive species;
• Removal of large individual trees;
• Publicly owned trees.

“I want to thank the Council for approving this great initiative.  This will protect trees and enhance the town’s tree canopy, especially in urban areas.  It also safeguards the rights of property owners while preserving the environment. The goal is to protect healthy trees and support tree growth on streets, private property, and natural heritage features.”- Anamika Dilwaria, Director, Planning and Development Services

Trees and areas that are subject to the new (By-law 33-2024):

• Trees within the urban area that are greater than or equal to 30 DBH (diameter at breast height)
• Trees designated as heritage trees or live within Natural Heritage areas
• Trees of any size located on lands pending an application
• Trees of any size located on lands where there has been a Pre-Consultation meeting with the Town
• Trees of any size identified in a Tree Preservation Plan
• Replacement trees
• All public trees

A tree removal permit application system has been created. If an owner wishes to apply or learn more about what is required to complete an application, please visit our Trees Page.

Please view (By-law 33-2024) to see what activities are exempt from this by-law and may qualify for an Exemption Letter.

If an owner has caused or permitted the injuring or destruction of trees, they may be issued a penalty notice by a Municipal By-law Officer. The penalty notice can include an administrative penalty. Schedule “A”(pg.14) of (By-law 33-2024) features an administrative penalty table with offences and penalty tiers. An officer may also issue an order requiring the owner or person who failed to comply to stop the destruction and injuring of trees.

For more information, please visit: https://www.forterie.ca/en/build-and-invest/trees.aspx (20+) Save Waverly Woods | Facebook

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