Removal of 109 trees along Long Point causeway raises concern

Norfolk County’s plans to remove trees along the Long Point causeway – part of a road widening and resurfacing project – has many area residents seeing red.

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“Just prior to the Labor Day weekend, myself and many neighbors noticed that all of the trees that line the causeway were being sprayed with various colors of bright paint,” said Stacey Crawford who, along with her husband Jim MacGregor live along the causeway. “Lots of rumors swirled, none of which I believed.”

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Crawford said she contacted Norfolk County Ward 1 Councilor Tom Masschaele and other county staff and was told of the project that would include the removal of a “vast majority” of the trees that line the causeway.

Masschaele said the project to widen the road will not have enough space for a bicycle lane though that had been requested by many residents.

“The wider road will make for a safer roadway for those who may choose to cycle or walk it,” he said. “All changes and improvements to this road are intended to make it safer for everyone.”

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Masschaele noted that the final project has yet to be approved by council, but environmental assessments have been done and the project design has been done by professional engineers.

Norfolk County issued a press release on Sept. 28 outlining details of the project.

“In total, 109 trees will be removed, and another 22 trees will be pruned,” said the release. “Tree removal and maintenance along the causeway for safety reasons has been ongoing since 2018, with approximately 70 trees removed.”

The press release stated that work will take place during the coming winter season and will address trees in poor condition due to age or other factors to ensure the successful and safe completion of the project that is scheduled for the summer of 2024.

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“The trees have been inspected and identified by Norfolk County’s arborist, and staff have been in consultation with the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks, as well as the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, to advise them of the tree removal plan,” said the release. “Completing tree removals over the winter months will limit any adverse impact on at-risk species.”

The release goes on to say that the replanting of appropriate species of trees will be reviewed after the resurfacing project is complete.

The causeway was constructed in the 1920s when Long Point could only be reached by boat. Rocks, hay, and logs were brought in to create the base for the roadway, and trees were planted alongside it to improve its stability.

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“For us who have lived our whole lives here we know what those trees do, and what they provide to the wildlife around here,” Crawford said. “This tree out front, specifically, is one where we always see ospreys and eagles in the tree perched to hunt in Big Creek.

“What we don’t understand is that the three-foot widening (of the road) they are talking about, a lot of these trees aren’t even in the way of that. So why are they cutting those trees down?”

She said the widening of the relatively straight causeway road would only encourage speeding.

“The speed limit was lowered from 70 km/h to 50 km/h, but people are still doing 80 to 100 km/h constantly throughout the day,” said Crawford, a retired 9-1-1 dispatcher. “They don’t have enough OPP to monitor this road.”

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The resurfacing project is estimated to cost $4 million.

“We have no housing in Norfolk County. We have a food bank that has never seen numbers like they have, and you’re spending money on a road that doesn’t need to happen,” Crawford observed, noting that Norfolk County Mayor Amy Martin is currently seeking citizens for a poverty roundtable .

With respect to the Long Point causeway, Martin said council has yet to hold a public meeting on the project and is awaiting ministry approvals.

A spokesperson from the Species At Risk Branch of the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks did not respond to a Postmedia inquiry prior to deadline.

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