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| Frequently Asked Questions About Forest Conservation Bylaws What are tree-cutting or forest conservation bylaws? How do forest conservation bylaws work? Do all municipalities have such bylaws? What is the difference between a forest conservation bylaw and a What if I am logging my own property? What are the exemptions to a bylaw? What if I am a logging contractor? What if I want to clear forested land or otherwise cut trees outside of the provisions in the bylaw? Where can I get more information? |
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Forest conservation bylaws, educational programs and other initiatives are all part of a solution to maintain and enhance our natural
environment and quality of life (for us and for future generations);
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A forest conservation bylaw can reduce unfair competition from loggers who may conduct questionable forestry practices for financial gain;
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It is important to note that forest conservation bylaws do not prevent landowners or loggers from earning a living from private forests (or from cutting wood for their own use or practising good forest management);
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Bylaws in adjacent counties can bring some of the worst loggers to your municipality;
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Rising prices for quality hardwoods are putting additional pressure on private forests; and
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Poor forestry practices have a negative impact on forest productivity and long-term revenue, wildlife habitat, forest health, water quality, soil protection and the local forest industry.
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| Top Q.3 How do forest conservation bylaws work? A. Bylaws have traditionally worked by specifying that trees of commercial value must reach a certain minimum size before they are harvested (by setting minimum diameters of circumferences for such trees). These diameter limits prevent clear-cutting or very heavy cutting, but are not intended to be good forestry practices. Some bylaws have a Notice of Intent requirement, which means the municipality must be given written notification in advance of tree cutting. The new Municipal Act, 2001 allows municipalities to put more effective bylaws in place. A good forest conservation bylaw program has a strong education and awareness component. Municipalities should work with local forest stewardship agencies and organizations to promote good forestry practices and sustainable approaches to forest management. When a bylaw has been contravened the damage has already been done. Q.4 Do all municipalities have such bylaws? A. No. Check with your municipality to find out if there is a forest conservation bylaw prior to doing any commercial cutting on your property. See the link on his site to ' List of Municipalities' Top Q.5 What is the difference between a forest conservation bylaw and a tree-cutting bylaw? A. These are two different terms that are both used to refer to municipal bylaws that restrict or prohibit the cutting of trees. Generally speaking, the term tree-cutting bylaw is used in older bylaws, whereas forest conservation bylaw is used in more recent bylaws. Under the authority of the Municipal Act, 2001, these bylaws may become known as forest conservation bylaws. Q.6 Does the bylaw affect me? A. In general, landowners and loggers must comply with local municipal tree-cutting bylaws. Many bylaws require landowners or loggers to fill out a Notice of Intent form prior to any commercial harvesting of forests. Contact your municipality to get a copy of the bylaw and find out whether you are required to submit a Notice of Intent or apply for a permit. Top Q.7 What are the exemptions to a bylaw? A. Exemptions are situations under which the bylaw does not apply. Bylaws will contain both legislated exemptions, which are exemptions listed directly in an act, as well as other exemptions that have been included in the bylaw by the municipality. Most forest conservation bylaws will include exemptions for: |
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Trees cut for 'own use by a person who has been the registered owner of land for at least two years' ('own use' does not include any sale, exchange or other disposition of the trees that are cut);
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Rights or powers of any provincial legislation;
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Rights or powers of Ontario Hydro or of any agency, board or commission that is performing its functions for or on behalf of the Crown;
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Trees growing upon any highway or upon any opened road allowance;
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Trees destroyed in order to erect any building, structure or thing in respect of which a building permit is issued;
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Trees planted and maintained for the production and sale of Christmas trees;
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Trees planted and maintained for commercial fruit or nut orchards;
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Trees cut by a person licensed under the Surveyors Act to engage in the practice of cadastral surveying or any person in his or her employ while making a survey;
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Trees on land described in a license for a pit or quarry or a permit for a wayside pit or wayside quarry issued under the Aggregate Resources Act;
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Trees destroyed in order to lawfully establish and operate or enlarge any pit or quarry on land that has not been designated under the Aggregate Resources Act; and
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Trees cut under Section 40 (Site Plan Control) or Section 50(6) (Sub-division Agreement) of the Planning Act containing provisions relating to tree cutting.
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| Top Q.8 What if I am logging my own property? A. Most bylaws have a number of exemptions. One common exemption is trees cut for 'personal use.' This does not include any sale, exchange or other disposition of the trees that are cut. However, for commercial logging, there are generally two main options available for harvesting: 1. You may choose to cut trees in accordance with good forestry practices. There are many options available under good forestry practices. In general, a silvicultural prescription should be developed, and the trees should be marked prior to harvesting by someone who is qualified to do so. The guidelines for good forestry practices are outlined in the Silvicultural Guide to Managing Southern Ontario Forests (OMNR 2000). OR 2. You may cut any trees that are over a certain size (diameter) listed in the bylaw. Some bylaws have an additional requirement that you must not cut the forest below a certain density (e.g., 65 sq. ft. per acre, or 15 sq. m per ha). Note: This method of harvesting trees is a poor forestry practice, but it does prevent the total devastation of a forest, and simplifies enforcement of a bylaw. Diameter limit cutting is not sustainable and degrades the quality of the forest. The overcutting that often results and the reduced genetic quality from diameter limit cutting will provide less and less revenue from the forest over time, as well as reducing ecosystem integrity. This method is not recommended. Top Q.9 What if I am a logging contractor? A. You must abide by any bylaw within a municipality you are working in. Make sure you get a copy of the bylaw and understand the requirements fully before harvesting. The same options as in the previous question would apply. Q.10 If cutting to a diameter limit (circumference) is not considered good forestry practice, then why is it an option under some bylaws? A. Although diameter limit cutting is considered to be high-grading (poor forestry practice), most bylaws limit the extent of high-grading and prevent inappropriate clear-cutting. Bylaws have been traditionally written using minimum diameter limits because it is simple to understand and simplifies enforcement of the bylaw. Over the years, most bylaws have been written to encourage good forestry practices, but continue to provide the option of using the diameter limit. Top Q.11 What if I want to clear forested land or otherwise cut trees outside of the provisions in the bylaw? A. Most bylaws include a 'minor exception' process whereby you can apply to your local council for an exception to the bylaw for your proposed tree cutting or forest clearing activity. For example, if you wanted to cut a woodlot in order to expand an agricultural field, you would likely have to go through the minor exception process. Q.12 Where can I get more information? A. For more information about forest conservation bylaws in your area, contact your municipal office. For a printer friendly version of this page - Frequently Asked Questions About Forest Conservation Bylaws - click here |
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