WE’RE INCLINED to agree with Mono councillors who have been openly critical of Dufferin County’s proposed new tree-cutting bylaw.

Although it’s clear that historically there was far too much clear-cutting of Dufferin’s forests, and almost as clear that The Highland Companies ought to have tested public opinion before removing some woodlots that appeared to hinder efficient potato harvesting operations.

However, all we think is really needed is a requirement that any large-scale removal of trees require prior approval based on evidence that the landowner will engage in reforestation that will at least replace the volume of trees removed.

The problem, as we see it, is that the strong criticism of Highland’s actions, based largely on an assumption that the tree removal was the first phase of a plan to turn the particular area into part of the proposed 2,300-acre mega-quarry, led the bylaw’s framers to over-react.

A sensible bylaw should be based mainly on a statement that the County wants to protect its forests and extend them, wherever that is practicable.