Notice of Public Information Session: Draft Woodland Management By-law

Take Notice

The Township of Cavan Monaghan is hosting a Public Information Session on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Cavan Monaghan Municipal Office located at 988 County Road 10, Millbrook, ON.  The purpose of the information session is to provide information about the proposed Draft Woodland Management By-law and receive input from the community. Township Staff will be on hand to answer any questions and make a presentation at 3:30 p.m. and repeat it at 5:00 p.m. After considering public input Township Staff intend to make a recommendation to Council in the summer of 2026.

Purpose of Engagement

The Township is actively seeking feedback on a draft Woodland Management By-law. The draft Woodland Management By-law, along with interactive mapping, is available for public review and feedback at (website address) until April 15, 2026.

Township Official Plan polices state that clusters of significant trees are to be protected. The Township Strategic Plan directs the Township to support natural heritage system features, integrate natural heritage protections into future planning initiatives and enhance reforestation efforts.

Currently, there is no regulation to enforce these directives or guide the cutting of trees even in the most environmentally sensitive areas. In support of these guiding principles, Cavan Monaghan is developing a tool to help strengthen protections for connected woodlands. 

In February 2026, a draft version of the Woodland Management By-law was presented to Council. The By-law seeks to promote reforestation and Forest Management Plans to support the healthy growth of woodlands by permitting approved tree cutting in sensitive natural areas and regulate clear cutting.

For the purposes of the by-law, Clear Cutting means the removal of trees within a portion of a woodland in excess of 0.2 hectares (0.5 acres). Woodland management permits for clear cutting may be issued but require a public meeting and the support of Council prior to Staff issuance of the permit.

The By-law also works by being complaint based. A By-law Officer will investigate when a complaint about tree cutting is received.

Land owners who injure or destroy applicable trees, or permit the injury or destruction of applicable trees, unless exempted, may be subject to a penalty notice when an Officer believes that a contravention of the Woodland Management By-law has occurred. The Officer may issue an order requiring the person to rehabilitate the woodlands, or replant trees to the satisfaction of the Township. This work may require the completion of additional studies. 

As drafted, the person who has not complied with an order to rehabilitate or replant may be given a penalty notice with a penalty of $300 per infraction. A penalty notice may be appealed. This penalty amount is below the average dollar amount found in other municipalities. The penalty fines for clear cutting shall be calculated at not less than $50.00 and not more than $1,000.00 per tree injured or destroyed for each tree in excess of 50 trees. In addition to any other remedy, the Officer may cause the work to be completed at the expense of the person to whom a penalty notice has been given.

The By-law is not intended to regulate the cutting of every tree. The draft By-law only applies to clusters of five (5) or more trees with a minimum diameter of 15 cm (6”) in a Sensitive Natural Area and regulates the clear cutting of areas more than 0.2ha (0.5ac). 

A permit is not required for the injuring or destroying of trees: 

• less than 15 cm (6 inches) around
• not clustered (in group less than 5)
• outside a Naturally Sensitive Area
• that are dead, diseased, or hazardous
• on the invasive species list
• part of Normal Farm Practice
• part of a Forest Management Plan
• for normal firewood use
• part of an approved Building Permit or
• as listed in section 135 (12) of the Municipal Act (e.g., Conservation Authority, Hydro One etc.)