Dear Mr. Elger, I am making…

Dear Mr. Elger,
I am making this representation in reference to EBR Registry number 013-4781 a request by Bellmere Holdings Inc. “To harm or kill butternut trees for the purpose of developing a seasonal trailer park site in Part of Lot 14, Concession 2, Township of Otonabee-South Monaghan, Ontario”. I am disgusted that a company would make a request to do that to an endangered species. I have spent 30 years protecting and planting butternut trees on my property. Many of the trees on my property have minor canker affects but they live out their lives and produce seedlings, many which will be more immune that the parent tree. Not only will the Bellmere Holdings development result in the loss of butternut trees it will also result in the loss of habitat that seedling could develop in. They claim they will be removing “non species at risk trees to reduce wind damage to butternuts that are retained on the site.” What nonsense! Removing non species at risk trees is more likely to cause wind damage to butternut trees. My observations of butternut trees is they benefit from protective forest environments. With regards to Bellmere Holdings proposal to transplant butternut trees, I can assure you transplanting these trees is not easy. Without ongoing care for years they usually die and even with ongoing care mortality is very high. I do concur that Bellmere Holdings is well to “explore ways to help the butternut trees” but by saying the actions are meant to "minimize adverse affect on butternut trees” admits they still intend to adversely affect the trees. I would suggest Bellmere Holding put into practice a plan to protect and enhance the butternuts environment on their property with monitoring from an independent 3rd party for 20-30 years then re-apply for development using their positive results as support for development. I would be happy to act a member of any committee assigned to monitor Bellmere Holdings butternut tree protection. For the record, I have no personal interest or concerns whether or not Bellmere Holdings develop their property outside of my ongoing concern for butternut trees, an endangered species.

[Original Comment ID: 215587]