Protecting tree cover and enhancing vegetation provides benefits to Tay Valley residents by:
- Protecting lake and river water quality (thereby safeguarding the $1.2 billion assessed land value of the Township)
- Protecting biodiversity (thereby safeguarding ecosystem health which also ensures the assessed value of the Township does not decrease)
- Reducing the effects of climate change by removing CO2 from the air and storing it; reducing floods; reducing temperatures in summer; promoting groundwater renewal etc. (thereby reducing impacts on Township roads and other infrastructure).
The Tree Canopy and Natural Vegetation Policy provides guidelines regarding the injuring or destruction of trees within the municipality and on promoting the regeneration of the landscape with forests in order to maintain and enhance the current tree canopy and natural vegetation. Every building permit and planning application will review the tree canopy and natural vegetation on a property.
Tree Canopy and Natural Vegetation Policy