Public confused over policy
Village Council has tabled plans to amend the Village’s tree removal policy. The decision was made after the proposed changes to the policy confused members of the public.
The policy as it stands now states that property owner adjacent to Village owned/managed property may request in writing that a tree or tree to be limbed or removed due to safety concerns and view purposes.
Village staff has recommended that changes be made to the safety and view reasons of the removal of trees.
This was brought forward due to liability concerns for the village.
The changes would see that any tree removal would be paid by the adjacent property owner who requests the removal or limbing of trees. Village council did not make any changes to the current policy but have tabled the discussion for a later date.
Streamkeeper gratitude
Village council had received a very heartfelt thank you letter from the board of the Hecate Strait Streamkeepers. The successful completion of the two year process of relocation of the Community Salmon Hatchery in Queen Charlotte was the reason for the letter. The project involved many government employees that spanned all three levels of government. The adjacent property owner to the new location, two not-for-profit organizations and a myriad of volunteers were also identified as being instrumental to the relocation of the Hatchery to a more accessible and public location.
Gwaii Trust along with the Pacific Salmon Foundation provided the much needed financial support necessary for the completion of the project. The Village Council spoke of the importance of the Streamkeepers and the work they do to keep Salmon stocks alive on Haida Gwaii. The new Hatchery is fully functioning and is in excess of 150,000 salmon eggs which are incubating. Some of the eggs will be contributed to support the Stream to Sea program in local schools, the remainder will be raised by volunteers at the hatchery until they are released as fry to local streams.
The Hecate Strait Streamkeepers are also in charge of other hatcheries on-island.
Garden Encroachment
A Queen Charlotte resident who has built a garden on a Village property has had to obtain a permit and get the approved insurance. The garden was built at the north end of Second avenue on village property, that had been previously cleared by the village for safety concerns. Village Council voted in favour of approving the Encroachment Permit for the garden space under the policy DEV-001 provided the applicant meets the insurance requirement and waive the application and annual fees.
This is to provide support for gardening and the creation of gardens and greenhouses for food production, positive social interaction and increased community health and well-being as laid out in the Official Community Plan. The applicant told the council that the insurance was taken care of and thanked them for allowing the garden to stay.