Chatham-Kent residents now have the chance to give their input on woodlots in the municipality and how to preserve them.
At the end of April, Chatham-Kent council approved a motion that introduced a temporary woodlot removal bylaw for 120 days.
Councillor Aaron Hall was behind the idea, citing the fact that Chatham-Kent currently has one of the lowest percentages of tree cover in all of Ontario and the municipality’s previously identified goal to develop approaches to protect natural resources. The possibility of prohibiting tree clearing had also been discussed several times previously at past council meetings throughout the last couple of years.
The motion that was approved in April also directed administration to launch a full public engagement process to seek the public’s input to develop ways to manage woodlots in Chatham-Kent.
An online engagement platform has now been launched. By using the platform, residents will be able to give their feedback on various options for preserving woodlots.
The online engagement forum can be viewed by clicking here and will be open to the public until July 9.
There is also a virtual town hall meeting planned for Chatham-Kent residents on June 29 from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m.
Participants will have the chance to meet the local officials responsible for the woodlot consultation process and learn more about the woodlot preservation options as well as be given the opportunity to share their views on the topic and listen to other residents' perspectives.
More information about the town hall session and a link to register can be found by clicking here.
According to the staff report that went to council on Monday night, the results of the public input process will be shared with council and the public. Council will ultimately make all decisions regarding woodlot preservation in Chatham-Kent.