Protesters secure partial reprieve on tree clearing in Beeton

New Tecumseth Free Press Online

Opponents of a Simcoe County approved “special permit” issued to Tecumseth Estates (Rizzardo) to remove 35 acres of woodland at 6386 and 6416 9th Line in Beeton, succeeded this morning in disrupting, at least for today, work crews accessing the property to continue the tree clearing which started over the weekend.

Nottawasaga OPP were also at the site this morning as protesters turned out prior to 7 am to block the entrance and prevent any further cutting pending contact with the County to suspend the permit until a review of the approvals process and potential impacts on increased flooding potential, sewage infrastructure implications, wildlife, environmental, and endangered species are addressed.

Last night Beeton residents crowded into the New Tecumseth council chambers and outlined several reasons why clearing more than half of the 60 acres of forest in proximity to the Beeton Creek and adjacent properties would impact beyond the former Beder Turf property.

Carolyn Milne told councillors the bridge crossing over the Beeton Creek, which has a sewage main affixed to it that moves untreated sewage from the former village to the treatment plant in Alliston, is in such disrepair that increased run-off caused by the tree removal, could wash it away, spilling into the creek.

Ms. Milne pointed to a clear-cut that took place nearly 10 years ago in the Dayfoot Street area whose impact has spilled water and sewage into basements in the area.

“We have a personal experience in Beeton with what happens when you clear cut. And so we’ve got a developer clear cutting today, and he’s not developing for the next 20 years, so for the next 20 years, we’ve got a water problem, silt washing into the creek, we’ve got sewage that’s at risk, and the County of Simcoe and the NVCA approved this application?” said Ms. Milne. “We really need to be serious about this. I have people that are telling me they’re going to go up there tomorrow and tie themselves to the trees, and tie themselves to the machinery, and are willing to go to jail and are willing to put their lives on hold so these trees aren’t cut and we aren’t having a bad environment around the place we live. I think we’re a better more open society, and you need to step up and say enough, let’s look at this.”

Nicole Cox presented council with a petition with 927 signatures. Deanna Gardiner pointed to missing details about whether more detailed archeological surveys were conducted because a previous study prepared for Tecumseth Estates in 2000, noted relics were discovered.

“Does council know whether they did that? I don’t believe this has been done. We owe it to the First Nations of our area, by law, we’re supposed to look into this. There was a unique find spot that could turn out to be culturally significant,” said Ms. Gardiner. “There’s so much wildlife in that area. Any child that has grown up in the Beeton area knows what blue herons are, knows what muskrats are, knows what owls look like, and hawks, and other rare animals. It’s too bad Rizzardos couldn’t do what Gibson (Gibson Hill) has done, and what Beattie (Pinery) has done, and dedicate some of this forest to the community and give back. We all know in 20 years they’re probably going to develop that land, but why not make that piece of forest something the community can enjoy, at the very least.”

Pat Jordan recounted first hand experience with flooding of her basement, and those of other residents on Smyth Cres whose homes are below where the trees are going to be taken out.

“And where (the NVCA commented the water increase would be marginal), we can’t afford marginal water, we can’t afford the water we already have. And I know because one of my basements was one of those that was flooded out this spring. Water ran backwards into my property. Out of sewage into my property, out of storm sewers, backwards. Beeton can’t afford your water. And they need to know that. We can’t afford one drop more of their bloody water. We have enough,” said Mr. Jordan. “Secondly, we have a coyote problem. They’re living up there. Everybody on that northern and western boundary in Beeton, has lost their animals. What the heck you think is going to happen now, because they’re going to be hungry they’re going to be coming into the centre of town. It won’t be cats and dogs anymore, it could be kids. … We cherish the area that we live in. We have something here that almost no other township has, and they’re up there tearing it apart today. So while we’re standing here, they’ve got half of that gone, so we’re blowing smoke out of our you know what. The no trespassing signs only went up last week. That high-hoe was only brought there Sunday because of Facebook and because of all these petitions going up. Other than that, they would have taken their sweet time they wouldn’t have gone up there until spring. They’re up there now because they’re scared and afraid somebody may rescind their permits, and so they should be. But without your help, we hear nothing. We depend on you people to stand up for us, and we put you there, so help us out.”

Town Solicitor Jay Feehely, who was not in attendance last night, was nonetheless beckoned by phone during the meeting, to determine whether New Tecumseth had any immediate legal remedies to immediately order the clearing stopped.

New Tecumseth Deputy CAO Blaine Parkin, only about one month in the position, and thurst into the acting CAO role during Brendan Holly’s absense last night, told councillors that Mr. Feehely was watching the council meeting on Rogers TV, and was waiting for their call.

“We had a long chat, and his comment to us, as to what action the Town could take, his comment was the Town has no authority to stop the process, it is the County’s jurisidiction,” said Mr. Parkin. “And what our best step should be is ask the County to look at the process taken, and if there are any errors, check into it.”

At this update (12:23 pm), the Town had been in contact with the County this morning seeking to have the special permit suspened for a detailed review of the process. No decision was confirmed.

Wilson weighs in

Wilson weighs into Beeton situation with letter to MNR

New Tecumseth Free Press Online

Simcoe-Grey MPP Jim Wilson, interim leader of the Official Opposition, has penned an “open letter” to Bill Mauro, Ontario’s Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry, seeking an explanation as to whether “there is any protection under provincial legislation for this endangered species.”

“Over the last few days, I have been inundated with phone calls from constituents concerned that a special permit has been issued by the County of Simcoe that allows for the cutting of 35 acres of hardwood forest,” according to Mr. Wilson’s letter dated today. “Specifically, residents are upset that endangered Butternut trees (Juglans cinera) will be cut down when they are protected under the Endangered Species Act. My constituents would like to know why permission was granted to remove the Butternut trees.”

At this post (2:56 pm) there was still no confirmation as to any decision from Simcoe County to accept or deny New Tecumseth’s request to suspend the special permit pending further review of the approvals process.