City says it has plan to replace removed trees

Following concerns that megaprojects to widen Kenaston Boulevard and extend Chief Peguis Trail would spark the removal of hundreds of trees, the city is sharing its plan to replace them.

Coun. Cindy Gilroy had feared the major construction efforts would prove devastating to the tree canopy. She raised a motion calling for staff to estimate the scope of that loss and value of the trees removed, accounting for size and species and a funding plan to replace each one destroyed.

“Just by driving by, I could just (imagine) the loss, the devastation … I want to make sure that … any of the lost trees that they can’t put back into the project will be put elsewhere in the city,” said Gilroy (Daniel McIntyre).

On Thursday, the councillor said city staff have now reassured her existing policies will require that all removed trees be replaced, including those currently located on private property that the city winds up expropriating.

Gilroy plans to closely monitor how trees are affected, noting future public reports are expected to share details of the impact closer to the time of construction.

She expects hundreds of trees could be cut down to make room for the major projects, including a forested area along Chief Peguis Trail.

“It is really crucial that the city … (makes) sure that our tree canopy is protected (and replaced) for years to come,” said Gilroy.

The Kenaston-Route 90 project is expected to add lanes, update sewer infrastructure, replace the St. James bridges and create active transportation pathways between Taylor and Ness avenues, with an estimated cost of $614 million, plus $143 million in interest.

The Chief Peguis Trail project aims to extend that major route from Main Street to Brookside Boulevard, at a cost of $755 million, plus $147 million in interest.

On Thursday, council’s public works committee voted to receive Gilroy’s original motion as information, noting city policies should meet the goals it lays out.

“The canopy loss … will be offset by the planting of new nursery stocks … Whatever the value of it is, they’ll put that value in in new trees. It will account for (tree) age,” said Coun. Janice Lukes, the committee’s chairwoman, after the meeting.

Lukes (Waverley West) said that that requirement is built into the construction plans, noting she agrees tree protection and replacement is a key priority for the city.

“We can never have enough trees because, in an urban environment, trees are damaged through snow removal, vehicular crashes, development and it’s important that we replace the trees,” she said.

City council has approved $5 million to start property acquisitions for the Kenaston Boulevard project, while an independent business case for the Chief Peguis Trail extension was ordered in March.

City officials confirmed tree compensation requirements will be determined, likely as part of the final design of each project.

joyanne.pursaga@freepress.mb.ca

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