The arborist letter states:
- The proposed cutline will require the outright removal of native trees. Those adjacent to the cutline will be subjected to mechanical wounding and loss ofmechanical support roots, subsequently exposing them to structural failure or "windthrow"
- The longterm effect ofthe cudine will manifest in the trees as a direct result ofthe hydrological changes
which will be realized.
This change will be direclly attributed to existing hydrological flows being bisected by the cutline. The bisection of the existing north-south hydrological flow bythe east-west culline/excavation will accelerate drainage on the north/upslope and drastically reduce available water in the rhizosphere on the south/downslope.
It has been our findings that the current age class, vitality and rhizosphere(i.e. organic soil profile in which non-woody absorbing roots generate and function) of the existing trees will not withstand this sudden change.
Consequently, trees will enter into a state of dysfunction which most often leads to strain
(irreversible stress). It is in this state ofstrain that a slow undignified death is inevitable.
- Read RRoCSS Letter
- Read MNNA Letter
- Photo 1 | 2 |
This website has been developed on behalf of the Mount Newton Neighborhood Association (MNNA). MNNA is comprised of catchment residents who did not sign the watermain petition, catchment residents who have rescinded their support for the petition, District citizens and groups concerned with preservation of rural lands, and groups in Central Saanich and Regionally concerned with social and environmental responsibility. We have asked the District of Central Saanich for independent third party provincial mediation for this issue, as earlier offered by the province. We feel this is the only unbiased method to resolve this acrimonious issue using an evidence-based approach to find solutions that consider best-practices environmentally friendly alternatives, take First Nations Interests into account, while ensuring economic equity.
The MNNA is supported by the Law Foundation of BC, and works in partnership through our lawyer, with the assistance of the Environmental Law Centre at UVic, and West Coast Environmental Law. The MNNA is actively working with its partners and water stewardship agencies, towards facilitating solutions to any legitimate problems on Senanus, through environmentally friendly, local, sustainable infrastructure that will solve problems while not facilitating development, destroying rural lands or the environment.
For more information or additional documentation, please contact the Mount Newton Neighborhood Association.