Motion 2014-016

Whereas logging was once a major industry in Denbigh;

and Whereas the lack of demand for wood combined with the high capital cost of mechanized equipment and the increasing cost of fuel have combined to almost eliminate the logging industry in Denbigh;

and Whereas logging with horses can be done on a smaller scale and without high capital costs for machinery;

and Whereas the rugged terrain is ideally suited for logging with horses;

and Whereas logging with horses has very low environmental impact;

and Whereas the ever increasing cost of fuel implies that heating with wood in areas with a wood resource is going to become more common;

and Whereas Addington Highlands is 70% crown land;

and Whereas any municipality with only 30% of its area capable of generating property tax revenues is going to have a difficult time financially;

and Whereas in the absence of grants in lieu of taxes any environmentally sound sustainable usage of crown land that provided revenue for Denbigh would have a disproportionately large effect on the local economy;

and Whereas logging with horses would generate timber for local usage because not enough timber would be produced to attract large corporate buyers;

and Whereas a reliable source of high quality local timber would enable wood craftsmen, cabinet and specialty furniture makers to locate in Denbigh;

and Whereas rural Ontario is generally in decline;

and Whereas urban Ontario is experiencing de-industrialization;

and Whereas the Province should be seeking ways to establish environmentally sound, sustainable industries and communities;

and Whereas logging with horses is an environmentally sound, sustainable local industry that would find wide geographic application;

now Therefore be it Resolved that a letter be written to the Minister of Natural Resources encouraging the Ministry to adopt a policy of encouraging and promoting the use of logging with horses on crown land;

and be it further Resolved that this motion be forwarded to the Addington Highlands municipal council requesting endorsement.

Motion withdrawn by mover for further consideration