ALERT

On Monday April 19th Chatham Kent council meeting Wallaceburg counselor Aaron Hall presented a notice of motion that would temporarily protect Woodlands in order to develop more sustainable conservation in Chatham-Kent.
 

If you care about Woodland conservation in Chatham Kent please contact your counselor and voice your support!

 

This is what we've been working towards and waiting for and now it's the time for you to make a difference!
 

The notice of motion below is followed by a list of individual counselor emails.

 

You can also use the portal:
 

https://portal.chatham-kent.ca/forms/council/contact

This is coming up for debate and vote next week so act ASAP.
 

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Notice of Motion - Re: Incentive Program For Woodlot Preservation 
 

I, Councillor Aaron Hall hereby provide notice that I will bring forward the following motion at the April 26, 2021 Council meeting for discussion and voting: 
 

“Whereas environmental sustainability is a recognized priority for this term of Council.

 

And whereas this priority includes a dedicated focus on implementing strategies to help everyone become stewards and adapt to a changing climate.  

 

 

And whereas CK Plan 2035 states that Chatham-Kent will continue to develop innovative approaches to addressing the protection and preservation of natural resources.
 

And whereas Chatham-Kent’s vision statement of, ‘a welcoming, healthy, prosperous community that is culturally rich and naturally innovative’,  represents the kind of community we will and can become, including: having respect for the role of agriculture, our environment and natural resources.
 

And whereas this Council has committed to addressing the fact that Chatham-Kent has one of the lowest percentages of tree cover in all of Ontario, by:

 

committing to planting one million trees in four years, implementing an urban tree cover policy and analyzing Chatham-Kent’s canopy cover, which was updated in 2018 and listed as needing improvement, missing the mark and moving in the wrong direction. 
 

And whereas the current natural heritage policy in Chatham-Kent is due for an update.  
 

Therefore, be it resolved that:
 

The temporary by-law presented to Council on February 11, 2013 be passed, effective immediately, and expiring 120 days from the date of passing, or when repealed by a further vote of Council. 
 

Furthermore, administration be authorized to adjust any dates, signing names and other minor administrative matters within the by-law.
 

And furthermore, administration be directed to:
 

1. Create an incentive program, with the goal of preserving woodlots in the community and providing land owners with tangible and flexible options for being included in the program. 

 

 

2. Launch a full public consultation process with interested parties, including virtual meetings and opportunities for comment on the Let’s Talk Chatham-Kent portal.
 

3. Conduct an analysis of best practices for incentive programs and woodlot preservation across Ontario.
 

4. Revise and update, for Council’s consideration, both the current natural heritage policy and the by-law from February 11, 2013. 
 

5. Present to Council all summaries, findings, analysis, comments, feedback, updated policies and bylaws in a report with recommendations, within 90 days of this motion being approved."

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Mayor Canniff <CKmayor@chatham-kent.ca>;

Ward 1 - Melissa Harrigan <melissa.harrigan@chatham-kent.ca>;

Ward 1 - Mark Authier <mark.authier@chatham-kent.ca>;

Ward 2 - Anthony Ceccacci <anthony.ceccacci@chatham-kent.ca>;

Ward 2 - Mary Clare Latimer <clarel@chatham-kent.ca>;

Ward 2 - Trevor Thompson <trevor.thompson@chatham-kent.ca>;

Ward 3 - John Wright <john.wright@chatham-kent.ca>;

Ward 3 - Steve Pinsonneault <steve.pinsonneault@chatham-kent.ca>;

Ward 4 - Jamie McGrail <jamie.mcgrail@chatham-kent.ca>;

Ward 4 - Joe Faas <joe.faas@chatham-kent.ca>;

Ward 5 - Aaron Hall <aaron.hall@chatham-kent.ca>;

Ward 5 - Carmen McGregor <carmen.mcgregor@chatham-kent.ca>;

Ward 6 - Amy Finn <amy.finn@chatham-kent.ca>;

Ward 6 - Brock McGregor <brock.mcgregor@chatham-kent.ca>;

Ward 6 - Douglas Sulman <douglas.sulman@chatham-kent.ca>;

Ward 6 - Karen Kirkwood-Whyte <karen.kirkwood-whyte@chatham-kent.ca>;

Ward 6 - Marjorie Crew <marjorie.crew@chatham-kent.ca>;

Ward 6 - Michael Bondy <michael.bondy@chatham-kent.ca>