Taking down trees even those under provincial protection is occurring in multiple wind projects and punitive fines are less than a tap on the wrist for offenders. Cedar Wind construction removed trees and the cost was a mere pittance.
Niagara Wind destroyed well over 7 000 trees including individual trees estimated to be centuries old including tree species at risk.
Presentation on trees removed at Niagara Wind: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1widGvicaK-VA1XXB4xC1OBtMlWopYG281sa94LKdktY/edit#slide=id.p3
Lambton landowner handed $6,000 fine in high- profile woodlot clearing case
By: Barbara Simpson Sarnia Observer Published: February 15, 2017
If trees are illegally cut in a woodlot and a fine of a few thousand dollars is handed out, is that enough to deter a landowner from clear-cutting again?
That’s the question several Lambton County politicians are raising after learning the details of the penalty the county leveled at a landowner for removing more trees than permitted during the construction of a Cedar Point wind turbine in 2015.
The high-profile case of clear-cutting – which involved an acre of trees in Lambton Shores – resulted in a fine of $6,000 for the private landowner. That amount was paid in full to the county in early 2016.
While mistakes are bound to happen, Sarnia Mayor Mike Bradley said Wednesday the dollar amount of the penalty was not “punitive.”
“In James Bond, they say it’s a licence to kill. This is a licence to cut.”
Mothers Against Wind Turbines Inc. 