Town Council

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Saugeen Shores recently held a public meeting regarding a study of the woodland areas on the north side of the Saugeen River in Southampton.

The study involves lands where municipal sewer service was recently installed along the lakeshore (Lake Huron).  The town study's focus is to determine or identify significant woodlands that may require additional Environmental Impact Studies (EIS) before any future development could take place.

Should a landowner want to develop an area, he/she would have to hire a qualified environmental consultant, approved by the County or the Conservation Authority to do an Environmental Impact Study (EIS). 

According to the planners, among the criteria that determine a significant woodlot is 'land that has at least 60 per cent of canopy cover' or an area with 10 or more trees that are 100 years or more in age.  Environmental studies also determine if there are significant specials, including plant life, birds and animal life

Saugeen Shores has 26 per cent in forested land with 35 per cent of that north of the river.

A member of the public said that "... now that the area is fully serviced ... the only way the town is going to grow is northward, whether we want it or not."

Jay Pausner of the Town of Saugeen Shores assured those at the meeting that, when the town provided the infrastructure (sewer service) is was not intended to open up the area for development.

Field work to finalize mapping and evaluate possible woodlands is currently being completed and a report is expected by October 28.

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Wednesday, August 24, 2011