'designated' woodlands

[krusty]

Sorry this is a bit political but still on topic. My local government has taken it upon themselves to protect all privately owned forests 40 years or older and ban any sort of modifications to the site. It boggles my mind how a govt feels it can now take your own forest away without compensation. Seems as though all the urban dwellers in high density housing realize that they live in crap neighborhoods with no trees so they want to protect other forests that they do not own. I will make a preso to local town council to delay this for rural folks but worst case if they do not I will get a buncher in and clearcut it. I bought the property to live on eventually and make some nice wooded severed lots. Plus select harvest firewood, tap maple trees etc with the kids. But if I cant enjoy it the way I want I would rather clear cut it then let the l&fties further control my life :(

It would break my heart as I have some nice 100 year old pine, maple and ash in there.

[Southside]

So no timber harvesting at all on anything over 40 years old??  Nothing science based about that at all.  

[krusty]

It is so loosely written that no site modifications are permitted. They did similar to wetlands locally and you cannot put a shovel in the ground in a designated wetland without substantial fines. I would expect no different for woodlands.

[Southside]

To include building?  That will do wonders for the real estate market.  

[Quebecnewf]

I'm thinking everything you posted is a little too vague . We're going to need more details

My local gov ??
Forty year old trees . One tree and that's it you can't touch any on the land or all have to be 40 or more ??
Of any species??

Need further information 


Quebecnewf 

[mike_belben]

Has this passed yet? I have some experience with a successful campaign to shoot a somewhat similar "forest conservation" rezoning town proposal down.  ill await more info.  


Also curious about building houses within said designated area. 

[OntarioAl]

Krusty
If you live in Ontario in a Municipality unfortunately they can using one of two pieces of legislation.
Forestry Act (1998). and or  Section 223.2 of the Municipal Act.
Al

[OntarioAl]

Krusty
This web site may be of assistance
https://www.ontariowoodlot.com/
Al

[krusty]

OntarioAl is correct. Being in Ont, in a rural area attached to a city, they have the power to do this. So far there is just policy language to provide guidance with a lot of ambiguity.

That is what concerns me the most. They did this with wetlands, in that once designated, very little if anything can be done on the property. From a woodlot perspective, if there are 40 YO trees in the area, it would get designated and protected from everything.

Should find out more in Feb.

[Andries]

My brother owns about 40 acres in the Guelph Ontario area.
He found that OMNR runs regular air photo surveys of wetlands and stream/river areas to enforce the Provincial acts listed above.
He figured that it was a losing battle to butt heads with the law, so he had a licenced forester develop a plan to manage his land. That plan is registered with the province so that now he can do most everything he wanted to do - without butting heads with "the man".
Might work for you too Krusty. 

[mike_belben]

Socialized property management. 

[dustintheblood]

This thread needs clarity and has the potential of presenting an image of the government that isn't necessarily factual.  Admin - can you please weigh in before it gets political?



I'm in Ontario and have designated wetlands.  Please know that this program is voluntary and you can opt-out after a period of time.  The managed forests program is also voluntary and does come with financial benefits if executed correctly (i.e. major reduction in property tax), as well as the ecological benefits as well.

Some municipalities have tree cutting bylaws in place to ensure that the basal area of the regional forests remain intact, and to help deter the bandit loggers from raping and pillaging.  

There's lots of latitude to operate a woodlot according to sound forest management principles.  As Andries described, working within the purpose of the Act(s) does function well.

Don't mistake me for a tree/bunny hugger.  I'm writing this with sawdust and chain oil all over my hands from cutting timber today (from my managed forest).

[krusty]

Dust,

I respectfully disagree with you on what you can and cannot do on Provincially Significant Wetlands once it is designated. G**gle 'Goulbourn Wetlands' for some local 'color'. The same thing is about to happen to us with woodlands. My area has approx > 30% woodlands and that is a huge hit to the local property owners.

K

[dustintheblood]

Just popped you over a PM....