Arnprior’s Save the Grove Again Committee is interested in preserving the Gillies Grove Nature Reserve for future generations.
Its position is that an old growth forest needs room to expand to remain at peak health, and it believes a 20 acre parcel of land in the process of being transferred from the Galilee Centre to Cavanagh Homes has the terrain necessary to do just that.
That’s Save the Grove Again Chair Lacey Smith, addressing Arnprior Town Council Monday evening (January 27th).
At risk are not only the trees, but the critters that call the habitat home, and there have been earlier examples of species loss, due to insufficient foresight, says Lacey.
It’s not like Town Council hasn’t heard all of this before.
Russ Corbett, another member of the original Save the Grove Committee warned of just that when he spoke to elected representatives in April of 2018.
Today’s Save the Grove Again Committee wants to go the proverbial extra mile and consult the needed expertise to assure the best outcome- because there are no second chances
Mayor Lisa McGee says there are standard review processes in place, but to this point the Town hasn’t even received any formal paperwork.
Planner Alix Jolicoeur says when it does, it’s the developer that’s supposed to pay for any required Environmental Impact studies.
Lacey says the Town already formally acknowledge the Grove as a Natural Heritage feature in its Official Plan, and therefore has a moral obligation to be proactive.
The Committee believes Gillies Grove Nature Reserve is more than just a clump of trees.
Next up, a Land Severance Application at the Committee of Adjustment: February 5th at the Nick Smith Centre.
By Rick Stow