HomeMy WebLinkAboutLakeshore Advance, 2012-03-21, Page 10• • • •
24 Lakeshore Advance • Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Victoryfor elm tree supporters
Lynda Hrnman-Rapiey
Lakeshore advance
It was victory last week for a small
group of rural residents taking on the Min-
istry of Transportation.
Some members of the group were
poised to chain themselves to trees to pre-
vent them from being cut down for high-
way improvements, and general safety
concerns.
It would have been a last-ditch effort
that now is not necessary.
Supporters mingled beside the Elm tree
last week as the MTO was scheduled to
visit. Sadly, said one supporter the healthy
trees across the highway have already
been chopped down. 25 other kinds of
trees have been marked to be killed -
between Kippen and Brucefield.
They have encotired passers-by to stop
and sign the banner on the largest Elm
tree.
The MT() made a statement about the
Elms which have survived Dutch Elm dis-
ease and are landmarks along the high-
way. There official statement came to the
group who
"Thank you for your inquiry about the
planned tree removal on Highway 4
between Kippen and Clinton," wrote
Monika Fleck (MTO).
"The safety of our highways is the min-
istry's top priority. The improvements
planned for Highway 4 between Kippen
and Clinton, including pavement resur-
facing and drainage upgrades, will
enhance safety for all users. "
"Five elm trees, all on the east side of
idIn view of the public
concerns and the knpacts
of Dutch Elm disease on
elm trees in Ontario, these
fire sin trees will not be
removed as part of the 2011
construction contract"
— Monika Fleck (M70)
the highway, were originally identified for
removal as part of the construction project
due to their proximity to the road. One of
the five trees, a large elm tree just north of
Kippen on Highway 4, appears to be of
particular importance to the community
due to its landscape significance."
"In view of the public concerns and the
impacts of Dutch Elm disease on elm
trees in Ontario, these five elm trees will
not be removed as part of the 2011 con-
struction contract."
She said an assessment of these trees
will be undertaken this summer to deter-
mine their overall health, type and condi-
tion. In the meantime, MTO will work
with interested stakeholders to harvest
trimmings/genetic materials from these
trees in 2011.
No decision about removing the elm
trees will be made until the assessment is
completed.
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