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New tree bylaw draft not protective enough

Dear editor,

I am concerned that the City of Courtenay’s new draft tree bylaw does not do enough to protect trees in undeveloped areas. These undeveloped areas contain 30 per cent of Courtenay’s remaining trees. The proposed bylaw would allow developers to remove every single tree on a parcel of land for a fee.

I have heard members of the Development and Construction Association tell city council that they want “development we can all be proud of.” Clearcutting within city limits is not my idea of “development we can all be proud of.” I hope the development community will join in demanding a bylaw that sets standards we can all be proud of.

If trees matter to you, please speak out by taking the City of Courtenay’s online tree bylaw survey,  www.surveymonkey.com/r/CourtenayTrees.  Tell the city to create a stronger law with higher standards.

Will Cole-Hamilton

Courtenay