Delta's tree protection bylaw doesn't seem to go far enough.
That's what some upset Beach Grove residents had to say last week after hearing the unsettling sound of a chainsaw cutting a couple of larger trees down on Duncan Drive. Asking how the removal of the trees could possibly benefit their Tsawwassen neighborhood, several called the Delta Optimist wondering what could be done, but a call to the municipality confirmed an application was made and permit issued for the trees in question.
It likely won't be the last time upset neighbours complain about the removal of trees in their neighborhood, suspecting it's being done either illegally or that Delta's regulations are too weak. The municipality earlier this summer, however, enacted tougher protection regulations.
The updated bylaw only allows one tree to be cut without an arborist's report, or outside of an emergency, every 24 months instead of the old bylaw that allowed one each calendar year.
Some of the other changes include requiring five replacement trees for every tree cut or damaged without a permit or contrary to a permit and removing the maximum of $2,000 for a permit fee to ensure applications for a large number of trees being cut pay their fair share. It also provides Delta council with the ability to reject applications for 24 months for properties where trees have been cut in violation of the bylaw.
The previous revision of the tree protection bylaw was in 2006, but it was updated this year after concerns were raised by the Delta Naturalists' Society.
The group said the municipality needed to be more proactive in conserving urban forests. A civic report to council noted that in 2014, 2,403 permits for tree cutting were issued and 2,338 trees were removed. At 1,375, the majority of the permits issued were for the removal of a single tree.
Members of the naturalist society said the bylaw revision were a first good step, but not all who took part in the group's initial presentation to council feel it's strong enough.
Lynn Moses told the Optimist her personal feeling in the subject is that the most serious weakness is that there is no protection for special, or significant, trees.
"So, the magnificent sequoia down my street can be cut down on the whim of the property owner, just as before this new bylaw," she said.
Although it's a positive step that there is now a requirement that a permit be displayed in a conspicuous location, it's only required only during the time of tree cutting.
"We recommended posting the permit 72 hours in advance, which is a current requirement of most Lower Mainland municipalities. This gives the community the opportunity to be informed," she said.
"There is also no provision for increasing public awareness of the value of trees. If we want Delta to be a tree-friendly community, we need to educate and inform," Moses added.
She also said Delta still lags behind other municipalities when it comes to tree protection.
Delta engineering director Stephen Lan said that like any Delta bylaw, the tree protection regulations would be up for periodic review.
