As the issue of a county forest conservation bylaw drags through Dufferin county council, Mono council is considering opting out of the process and drafting its own bylaw.

Meanwhile, there are also concerns about a proposed gasification plant that the council agrees with in principle.

At its meeting Tuesday, councillors indicated they agreed with the concept of the Dufferin Eco Energy Park (DEEP), but felt there were liability and logistical matters that remain to be cleared up before they gave it their full endorsement.

As for the forest bylaw, council made it clear that it is fed up with the lack of progress on drafting a final bylaw, as well as being irked with the direction it is taking.

Of particular concern is a proposal that property ownership should not play any role in determining whether trees can be cut on a particular woodland.

For example, if a landowner has two trees that he or she would like to cut, the bylaw would not permit it if the adjoining property also has enough trees, of determinate size, to constitute what the bylaw defines as a woodland.

The two trees, because of their proximity to the others, are considered part of that woodland, regardless of whose property they are on. The landowner would not be given a permit to cut them if it is found that their removal would cause the remaining trees to be less than what is necessary to constitute a woodland.

If a hectare of his neighbour’s property has 248 trees that measure over 20 cm (about eight inches) in diameter, the landowner would not be allowed to cut those two trees – if they are also 20 cm in diameter – because that would mean the overall woodland would be less than the minimum required by county standards.

“It’s getting to the point where we can’t cut a single tree down, because we’re joined at the hip,” complained Mayor Lorie Haddock.

“Anyone with common sense is not happy (with the bylaw),” added Councillor Bob Shirley. In a later interview he added: “The great majority of people in Mono know how to look after their trees. They are one reason they move here, in the first place. They are not about to destroy a whole wood lot.”

Councillor Laura Ryan, who also chairs the town’s forestry committee, spoke out against

the bylaw-violation fines.

They range from $10,000 to

$100,000, depending on the

severity of the infraction and

the number of times it has

been committed.

“I understand that you have to review your

bylaws and make sure they accomplish what

you’re trying to do,” she

said. “Still, I find the wording of this bylaw very disconcerting. It seems to be heavyhanded and overpowering.

“I would feel more comfortable if we drafted our own bylaw.”

As for the proposed plasma gasification plant, Ms. Ryan told council on Tuesday that “the technology is great. It’s the first thing that gives me hope there’s something we can do with our garbage.”

She also said, however, that the proposed price tag of about $70 million to build the facility gave her “cause to pause.”

Councillor Jean Castel concurred, and urged council to pass the matter to the town solicitor, who could provide a clear legal opinion as to what the town’s true responsibility will be if it signed on to participate.

“We should have a legal opinion to ensure Mono is secure (about) future liability,” said Mr. Castel,.

“Yes, it will be a county responsibility but, eventually, each municipality will be responsible for paying its share.”

He also suggested, in an interview Wednesday, that it might take 10 years before the plant clears all the regulatory hurdles and actually begins operation. Mr. Castel expressed concern that the predicted tipping fees of $75 to $80 per ton may be much higher at that time. He also said it should be accurately determined if there would be enough garbage to sustain the facility.

Municipalities outside Dufferin, including York Region, have expressed strong interest in using the plant if and when it comes into operation.

Deputy Mayor Ken McGhee gave his suggestion on future garbage amounts through a quip at Tuesday’s meeting. “The province classifies garbage as ‘non-renewable waste.’ even though we always seem to have it.”