Municipality of Kincardine
New Natural Heritage Study
By TROY PATTERSON,
Kincardine News Staff
There's a lot of detail and suggestions for Municipality of Kincardine staff to work with in the new Natural Heritage Study.
The document was authored over the last year by representatives of North South Environmental Inc. and Dougan & Associates for the municipality, in partnership with Bruce County and Saugeen Valley Conservation Authority, both of which had representatives at last week's meeting.
The report gave an outline of the forested areas in the municipality, which exist as lakeshore 'coastal corridor' wooded areas and woodlots along the backs of properties, both of which are extremely valuable parts of the ecosystem. Special land use policies are needed in these areas to "recognize their ecologicial significance," said representative Margo Dougan.
The municipality was pressed to protect the forested areas and create linkages to improve ecosystems that have been cut off or isolated in the past. Council was also told there is a high level of bio-diversity in terms of plants and wildlife, which need options to move within habitats and not be further limited.
Deputy Mayor Laura Haight said since there were no environmental hazard lands or floodplain maps 40 years ago, they're working to repair damage already done.
"How we move forward is the trick," Haight said. "It's not going to be an easy task."
Mayor Larry Kraemer said council will have to work to be more "sensitive" when dealing with development projects, as balancing the "competition between the human species and the natural environment" is the biggest challenge.
Planning Advisory Recommendation (Natural Heritage Study)
Council Minutes Wednesday, March 10, 2010
6.0 MATTERS ARISING FROM PLANNING ADVISORY COMMITTEE
6.1 Planning Advisory Recommendation (Natural Heritage Study)
Resolution # 03/10/10 - 05
Moved by: Ron Hewitt
Seconded by: Kenneth Craig
THAT the Council of The Corporation of the Municipality of Kincardine concurs
with the recommendation of the Planning Advisory Committee to defer the
adoption of an Official Plan Amendment for the Natural Heritage System Study to
the Building & Planning Committee;
AND FURTHER THAT a report be brought back to Council no later then July 30,
2010.
Carried.
revised 2010 Mar 13