YOUR CHANCE TO SPEAK OUT ON THE OFFICIAL PLAN

Starting on Tuesday March 31, the Planning and Environment Committee and the Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee will be holding a joint meeting to listen to what the public has to say about proposals for revising the Official Plan. In many cases, whether a development is or is not permitted is based on what is in the Official Plan.

There is also the question of whether what is in the Official Plan provides enough protection for residents.

To arrange to make a presentation at the joint Committee meeting, you can e-mail Rob.Tremblay@ottawa.ca or call 613-580-2424, extension 28828.

VIGILANCE NEEDED TO SLOW THE SPREAD OF EMERALD ASH BORER

Last summer, the first case of Emerald Ash Borer was discovered in Ottawa. This beetle kills ash trees and has already done enormous damage in Southwestern Ontario and parts of the United States. As 25% of Ottawa’s tree cover is ash trees, the Emerald Ash Borer has the potential to have a devastating effect on both urban and rural areas.

All efforts to eradicate the Emerald Ash Borer in other communities have failed. Learning from that experience, the focus of the City’s efforts to deal with the problem are to slow the spread and to reduce the impact.

Over long distances, the Emerald Ash Borer spreads through human movement of wood. It is likely we will see a federal order prohibiting the movement of wood out of areas where the Emerald Ash Borer has been discovered – so far it has been found at St. Laurent and the Queensway. The City will be doing its part to avoid spreading Emerald Ash Borer and individuals can check the frequently asked questions on Emerald Ash Borer at  http://ottawa.ca/residents/healthy_lawns/forestry/index_en.html.

Funding is also being increased for tree replacement to offset the damage Emerald Ash Borer will cause. Species to be planted will be those not affected by Emerald Ash Borer.

With 25% of our tree cover at risk, we have to start now. Funds for work to respond to Emerald Ash Borer were approved as part of the 2009 budget last December. While deferring work on responding to the problems Emerald Ash Borer will cause was one of the cuts proposed to spending, a majority of council members felt work had to start now. When 25% of our tree cover could be wiped out waiting will only increase the costs and the damage.

REGISTER NOW FOR SPRING CLEANING THE CAPITAL

Teams can now register for Spring Cleaning the Capital. Teams range from community associations to schools to sports teams to families to individuals. Last year over 70,000 people picked up 116,000 kilograms of litter.

To register, get your team together, pick a location and go to www.ottawa.ca/clean or call 311. Your location can be any public space you feel needs tidying.

People registering before April 14 are eligible for early bird prizes.

EARTH HOUR A CHANCE TO THINK ABOUT HOW TO SAVE ENERGY

There is some debate, even among environmentalists, about the benefits of Earth Hour. Where there isn’t debate is how much money we can save and the benefits to the environment when we find ways to use less electricity.

Hydro Ottawa has produced a list of tips. Some are things most people already do, but there are a number that people wouldn’t automatically think about. Details can be found at https://www.hydroottawa.com/pdfs/conservationtips_en.pdf.

WORKING FULL-TIME FOR KANATA SOUTH

I appreciate the chance to hear from you about issues affecting our community. You can reach me at 580-2752 (office), 580-2762 (fax), www.feltmateforkanata.com or peggy.feltmate@ottawa.ca