Ottawa airport authority to clear cut forest despite opposition

The Ottawa International Airport Authority will move ahead with clear cutting a forest on Hunt ClubRoad, despite thousands of people signing a petition opposing the plan.

In a letter addressed to Ottawa residents and the Hunt Club community on Monday,the airport authority called the decision "difficult" but necessary given "this neglected plantation's dangerous state."

The plantation it's referring to is a red pine woodland at 400 Hunt Club Rd., which roughly covers four hectares north of the airport. It was established in the early 1960swith the intention of harvestingtrees for lumber andtelephone poles.

However, it's a site thatlocals have enjoyed recreationally for years and have fought to save. In 2021, residents ralliedagainst plans for a BMW dealershipto expand its parking lot.

"While we understand that there will be members of the community upset by this news, safety is of paramount importance," reads the letter,posted on its website.

The authority said it has explored other options, including a land swap with the city,but those were "proven unattainable."

It said assessments, including from the city, have all concluded the forest has been neglected for decades leaving the trees "in poor condition and are unable to support their own weight" and susceptibleto breaking in extreme weather.

It added the site "lacks significant wildlife presence and biodiversity" with frequent occurrences of trespassing, illegal dumping and vandalism.

The authority said the only way to make sure the area is safe is if the airport authority removes the trees.

"The failure to proceed with the tree removal on this site poses a tangible and immediate threat to public safety, which we cannot overlook," the letter continued.

The airport authority concluded by saying it would begin clearcutting in the days or weeks to come.

Once cleared, the land will be marketed for development.

'A gut punch'

"To claim that there's a threat to us and the general threat to the public safety is absolute nonsense," said Michael Vorobej, who lives nearby and is a member of Save Hunt Club Forest, a group that formed two years ago to fight development on the land.

"As a community, we have used this forest and enjoyed it for walking our dogs, jogging, riding our bikes, watching the birds or just getting some fresh air," he said.

Jennifer Dey, a member of the same group, called the news "a gut punch."

"It's really disappointing that [in] this day and age, we can't quite figure out that we're not entitled to just clear whatever we see in our sights," she said.

The group argues the forest is not only safe, but avoided any significant damage from last year's derechowhich destroyed thousands of trees across the region.

The members of Save Hunt Club Forest said they've also been tracking the biodiversity in the area and that there are hundreds of different species that currently call the forest home.

Cutting down the trees would not only eliminate their habitat, but also a source of clean oxygen, they said.

Dey andVorobejsaid the group planned to meet Monday evening to discuss next steps and has every intention of fighting the airport authority's decision.

They've been working with local councillors, including River Coun. Riley Brockingtonwho has previously voiced his opposition to cutting the forest, but said they have yet to receive any support from upper levels of government.