With a list of developments on the way, clearcutting efforts have begun in the City of Kitchener, looking to prepare lands near the Huron Natural Area.
Photos and video sent to FM 98.5 show large vehicles and machinery levelling sections of trees along the local wetland, with piles of clear-cut trees laid out in the development area.
“Ever since the City of Kitchener approved the development surrounding Huron Natural Area in November, the community group Protect Huron Natural Area has been working behind the scenes to try to mitigate the damage and hold key players to account,” said Protect Huron Natural Area in a statement. “Kitchener City Council ignored environmental and wetland scholars, Indigenous experts and dozens of residents who spoke out against the proposed subdivision of the land at 1700 Strasburg Road, bordering the Huron Natural Area.”
It comes as the city has pegged various areas around the space for a list of developments, including high-density apartment towers, a commercial space, a designated industrial zone, and more.
Previously, the city stated it would continue to push for protection of the Huron Natural Area, but also stated that it would continue with those listed projects as they’re set to be developed on the outskirts of that listed space.
“We are developing a 10-year plan for the stewardship and ecological restoration of the Huron Natural Area,” said the City of Kitchener on its website. “Together with community members, including local Indigenous communities, we will identify a vision, stewardship needs and actions to preserve the area for future generations.”
While the city said it will continue focusing on the natural area itself, Protect Huron Natural Area said that the developments on its doorstep will have both direct and indirect impacts on the local wetland.
“We want to let the City and the developer know that we’re still watching and still fighting to ensure that they follow through on the few environmental protections they are required to fulfill,” said Ray Angod, Researcher and Analyst for Protect Huron Natural Area.
Angod also pointed out the issue surrounding clearcutting efforts and larger developments amidst a water shortage in the Region of Waterloo, with the group saying, “the developer may not be able to receive a water permit or find tenants amidst high industrial vacancy rates.”
“Anyone seeing the devastation will understand that the birds and animals within Huron Natural Area itself will be affected, since their habitat has been further reduced, and many of them will have been nesting or hibernating in the area that has now been demolished,” said Yvonne Fernandes, former Kitchener City Councillor and member of Protect Huron Natural Area.
The group has organized a protest on Sunday, Mar. 29, at 1:00 p.m., just outside the entrance of the Huron Natural Area.
Comments