Clearcutting at Sandy Lake paused while residents meet with developer
Posted Aug 26, 2013 10:46:54 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Clearcutting at Sandy Lake in Hammonds Plains has been put on hold as the developer, concerned residents and Councillor Tim Outhit plan to meet.
Last Thursday, nearby residents held a protest over concerns the clearcutting would remove 200-year-old trees bordering on the lake, a spot where there are plans to build a park.
Resident Karen Robinson is hoping the developer will hear their concerns at the meeting and they can work together to make plans for the area.
“I just want to say, the developer hasn’t done anything illegal,” said Robinson. “They own the land, but this clearcutting has happened with no real plan. There have been plans for years for a beautiful, natural park in the area.”
She also hopes when they sit down and meet next week, HRM can fix the loophole that allows clearcutting before applying for any development permits.
“That clear cut is so big and uncontrolled, even the Department of Environment has had minimal say over it,” added Robinson. “That could put the lake at risk.”
Robinson added they chose to protest as a last resort when their concerns weren’t being addressed by the developer or government. The site is being cleared for development.
