The administrator for a new group called the Ontario Association of Responsible Tree Management has presented Huron County council with a bylaw that proposes a less punitive approach to the harvest of trees.
Cindy Moyer explains the group was formed about a year ago with the intention of advocating a "carrot approach" to tree management, rather than the stick approach.
Moyer suggests the "carrot" in this case is education. She feels most people will tend to do whatever is economically viable for them, but many don't realize the value of their woodlot, and that it can be profitable without clear-cutting.
Moyer asked that Huron County council ask staff to review their proposed bylaw to determine how it might improve on the existing bylaw and report back to council. The report and proposed bylaw was referred to staff.