Sechelt implements tougher penalties for tree-cutting

Local Journalism Initiative

June 14, 2024 at 6:43 p.m.·1 min read

As the province enters wildfire season, trees and plants in Sechelt can rest easy thanks to stronger protection measures being endorsed.

Following discussion at the District of Sechelt’s May 22 committee of the whole, recommendations have been brought to council to enhance tree protection in the area.

Recommendations include amending the Municipal Ticketing Information (MTI) Bylaw and Bylaw Notice Enforcement Implementation Byalw to administer more severe fines for those who unlawfully remove trees or plants from properties that are not within parks.

The current Tree Cutting and Limbing Policy has been rescinded and the Protection of Plants and Trees on Public Lands Policy has also been endorsed as a part of these changes.

This will allow staff to issue fines of $1,000 under the MTI Bylaw, and seek conviction under the Offences Act for more serious violations of the Highway and Parking Bylaw.

These changes will also give staff more authority to handle abandoned unlicensed vehicles.

Coun. Dianne McLauchlan suggested that the policy be reviewed in a year, saying that the fee for removing mature trees should be more severe than that for removing shrubs or smaller plants.

“I'm not sure $1,000 is really a sufficient term, and deter will deter people from trying to obtain a water view,” McLauchlan added.

Council unanimously gave second and third readings to the Highways and Parking Bylaw amendment and gave first, second and third readings to the Municipal Ticket Information and Bylaw Notice Enforcement Implementation bylaw amendments.

The bylaws will next proceed for adoption.

Jordan Copp is the Coast Reporter’s civic and Indigenous affairs reporter. This reporting beat is made possible by the Local Journalism Initiative.

Jordan Copp, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Coast Reporter

The Canadian Press
Things to know about dangerous rip currents and how swimmers caught in one can escape
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Stinging jellyfish, rays with their whip-like tails and sharks on the hunt are some ocean hazards that might typically worry beachgoers. But rip currents are the greatest danger and account for the most beach rescues every year.
The Canadian Press
A big boost for a climate solution: electricity made from the heat of the Earth
One method of making electricity cleanly to address climate change has been quietly advancing and on Tuesday it hit a milestone.
CBC
Etobicoke residents plead for help amid rat infestation
A rat infestation is plaguing residents in a south Etobicoke neighbourhood.And they're blaming an impromptu garbage dump set up by residents of a nearby homeless encampment in Mimico's Coronation Park for their new furry neighbours — though a pest control expert and their local councillor say a nearby excavation site is likely contributing to the problem.Regardless, the neighbours are pushing for action from the city that they say is long overdue."There needs to be a massive clean out; there nee
People
Woman 'Seriously Injured' After Being Mauled by Wolves at Zoo in France
A Paris woman was attacked by Arctic wolves while out for a run at the Thoiry ZooSafari in France and sustained bites to her neck, leg and back
ABC News Videos
Missing hiker rescued after 10 days
Luke McClish, 34, says he managed to survive in the northern California wilderness drinking a gallon of water every day. ABC News' Danny New explains how rescue crew finally found McClish.
CNN
‘I had a mountain lion that was following me’: Hiker missing for 10 days describes experience
34-year-old Lukas McClish spent ten days stranded in the Santa Cruz Mountains after he got lost on a hike, relying in part on large volumes of water to survive. McClish was eventually found thanks to a drone from the Santa Cruz Sheriff’s Office, according to an X post from Cal Fire San Mateo. CNN’s Veronica Miracle has the story.
USA TODAY
Video captures shocking moment when worker comes face-to-face with black bear at Tennessee park
The black bear entered a concession stand, coincidentally named "Bear Can," at a mountaintop adventure park in Gatlinburg, Tennessee.
The Weather Network
Threat of early Tuesday morning storms looms over southwestern Ontario
Thunderstorms could rumble their way into parts of southwestern Ontario in the early-morning hours on Tuesday, with a chance of some turning severe, so make sure you stay alert and be weather-aware
CBC
Repairs on Calgary's broken feeder main are now complete, but water service not yet restored
Repair work on the five additional "hot spots" of the feeder main that ruptured is now complete, but the full restoration of Calgary's water supply is still days away. Mayor Jyoti Gondek shared the news during her Tuesday afternoon update on the developments of the Bearspaw south feeder main, saying the underground repair work on the pipe has now been completed and the city is hopefully on track to have water service restored before the Calgary Stampede. "That date is still a good guideline," sa
The Weather Network - Video
Damaging wind threats across the 401 corridor
Wind gusts up to 108 km/h have been reported in London. Get the details with meteorologist Tyler Hamilton as this wind surge shifts east.
CBC
Weekend tornado in Deep River, Ont., confirmed
Experts have confirmed a tornado touched down in Deep River, Ont., on the weekend, uprooting trees, causing minor structural damage and even flipping a boat as it blew through town."This was kind of a minor tornado, but still a tornado," said David Sills, executive director of Western University's Northern Tornadoes Project. The project's storm survey team was dispatched to the community 150 kilometres northwest of downtown Ottawa to confirm reports circulating on social media.Sills said the tor
The Weather Network
Week starts off with severe storm threat as risk shifts into Manitoba, NW Ont.
This final week of June will kick off with a severe thunderstorm threat as the weekend risk moves east into parts of southern Manitoba and northwestern Ontario. It's important to remain weather-aware
The Canadian Press
A potential Trump VP pick backs a controversial CO2 pipeline favored by the Biden White House
BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum is one of Donald Trump’s most visible and vocal backers, sprinting around the country to drum up support for the former president’s comeback bid while auditioning to be his running mate.
The Canadian Press
Millions swelter as temperatures soar across the US, while floodwaters inundate the Midwest
Millions of Americans sweated through yet another scorching day as temperatures soared Sunday across the U.S., while residents were rescued from floodwaters that forced evacuations across the Midwest, including in an Iowa town where the flood gauge was submerged. One person was killed during flooding in South Dakota, the governor said.
INSIDER
I explored the ruins of an abandoned zoo on the coast of Florida, and it was completely overrun by nature
Crandon Park Zoo was abandoned after hurricanes ravaged the beach and drowned animals. Today, wildlife like alligators and peacocks live in the park.
CNN
Residents of a small island off the coast of Panama evacuate as the sea level rises
CNN’s Rafael Romo reports on island residents who are relocating, about the human impact of climate change.
Canadian Press Videos
Officials provide update on partial dam failure in Minnesota
A Minnesota dam was still standing Tuesday after floodwaters overcame parts of the structure and prompted officials to prepare for a potential collapse.
Robb Report
10 Superyacht Concepts With Outrageous Features, From a 560-Foot Track to a Private Marina
Want the world's largest floating structure or a UFO-style vessel with a glassed-in owner's suite? These designs range from fantasy to buildable tomorrow.
CNN
Wolves attack woman who went jogging in French safari zoo
A woman staying at a French safari zoo was attacked by several wolves on Sunday after she entered the reserved part of the zoo which is “usually only accessible by car,” the zoo’s CEO Christelle Bercheny told journalists.
The Conversation
Five environmental issues that should be higher on the election agenda
Sewage pollution, active travel and energy efficiency of buildings are just some of the environmental issues not getting the attention they deserve as the election approaches.

Latest Stories