Concerns with stormwater runoff have drawn city councillors’ attention to the potential effects of logging above Townsite.
Mayor Dave Formosa raised the issue at council’s December 1 committee of the whole meeting. He said effects of previous logging on slopes near residential areas are still remembered, citing the experience of residents on Willow Street after logging in the area 12 years ago.
“The water that came off that hill was quite extensive,” said Formosa. “We learned that if the houses had proper drainage it wouldn’t have been such an issue, but the water was considerable.”
The land slated to be logged is next to Timberlane. It is owned by Catalyst Paper Corporation, but like other areas of Lot 450, the timber rights are owned by Island Timberlands.
Formosa said Townsite residents have concerns about the effect harvesting those trees will have on slope stability and stormwater runoff. The city received a deluge of stormwater runoff complaints after the trees were logged above Lombardy Street a dozen years ago by a different forestry company, he said.
Formosa proposed council develop a bylaw for city logging on slopes greater than 30 per cent. The bylaw would require logging companies to provide a stormwater management plan, similar to what developers are required to do, so the city could sign off before harvesting could begin.
“I’m not being anti-business. I’m just taking care of our citizens,” said Formosa. “I know when [companies] are taking trees down, they are making money.”
Councillor Russell Brewer, a professional forester, said there may already be provisions in place that requires a hydrology study be completed first.
Council asked staff to look into the viability of the bylaw and will to send a letter to Catalyst conveying potential concerns about water management at the logging site.
