Scanned copy, if there are errors, please e-mail me with corrections:
Page - - Toronto Star, Mar. 3/94 Cawthra Bush defenders get boost from weather in bid to save trees By LESLIE FERENC STAFF REPORTER Residents living near a central Mississauga, woodlot are demanding the city stop plans to chop: down 2,000 trees, the head of the Friends of the Cawthra Bush says. Don Barber is concerned that the chainsaws were at work in the urban forest at Cawthra Rd., just south of the Queen Elizabeth Way, before residents knew what was happening., He and his neigbors are insisting the cutting be stopped for at least a year until the project is reviewed. A long-time area resident, Barber maintains Mother Nature should be allowed to do her job without interference. "People want to keep the bush exactly as it is," he told city council, adding plans to turn the woodlot into a park with street lights and paths will destroy the internal ecology. All work on the site, aside from some clean-up, has stopped for now, according to city arborist Rick Doyle. The project was put on hold to give staff a chance to meet with residents and environmentalists to address their concerns, he said. Their recommendations will be presented to Mayor Hazel McCallion early next week, Doyle said. A public meeting is also likely. But Mother, may be doing her part to back residents efforts. Warm weather has melted the snow which acted as a cushion to protect the forest floor, Doyle said. Workers may not be able to finish the job until next year as a result. "We don't want to do anything to disturb the ecology," he added. City staff, the environment ministry and the Credit Valley Conservation Authority maintain the bush is unhealthy, with many dead or damaged trees that must be trimmed out and the forest canopy opened to let in more sunlight and Improve the stability of the growth. The city intends to sell the logged trees for as much as $40,000.
[COMMENTS BY DON B. - The City claims it was the weather but really they got caught with their pants down and residents were mad as hell. ]
|