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Weekend* * LWrtten Drug InfoAiab, t4I I"At Zmk's w. Cam IAflYur HaM 70 t. . S7to-42 A Metroland Community Ne, "Using Communication to Build Better Communities" wspaper Vol. 144 No. 26 Friday, June 13, 2003 40 Pages $ 1.00 (GST included) Safe at second Bishop Redmng shortstop Nicole Gooding makes a catch at second base, but flot in turne for the out agaunst a Georgetown runner at Thompson Park Monday afternoon. The Royals went on to stage a huge 12-9 comeback win in the regional semifinal clash, but dropped the Halton championship game 11-6 to Burlington's Notre Dame Wednesday in Oakville. For full resuits, see page Bi. -~ -Photo by GRAHAM lPAINE Charges laid in tree-cuttingincden By JASON MISNER The Champion Halton Region has laid 40 charges in connection with the destruction of thou- sands of hardwood trees that were knocked down in April in an environ- mentally-sensitive area bordering Milton and Oakville. Following an extensive seven-week investiga- tion, Halton's lead lawyer Mark Meneray said the 40 charges have heen laid under the Region's tree- conservation bylaw- 20 counts against the prop- erty owner 1255732 Ontario Imc. and 20 counts against the director and company officer George Vastis of Burlington. Each charge camres a maximum fine of $20,U0 under Ontarmo's Forestry Act. Mr. Meneray said the Region is also asking the courts for a re planting order. "The requirement would be to rehabilitate the land to where it was before the cutting," he said. "That could he for 15 years, as an example. This shows the Region is serious ahout its tree-cutting bylaw and committed to the enviromnental reha- bilitation of this property." The case is expected to go to court in the fali. Charges send message: Savoine Regional Chairman Joyce Savoline said the charges underscore the importance of obeying regional bylaws and of asking questions if there's confusion about them. -We neyer had any doubt we had teeth in the regional (tree-cutting) bylaw,' she said. -This sends a substantial message." Oakville Regional CouncillorAlIan Elgar. who's been closely tollowing the incident, said he's con- cemed the Region's Officiai Plan (OP)- the main blueprint for growth in a municipality- docsn't effectively proteci environmentally-sensitive woodlots. And while "extremely pleased" the Region is taking a hard-line agamnst the tree-cutting, the fact is the damage to the woodlot has been done, he said. "lt's going to take years to get back some of the (trees and habitat) and that is the sad thing. The value of the forest has been destroyed.** In mid-April it was discovered that the Lower Base!hne Road woodlot bordering the Sixteen Mile C reek had about 40 acres of trees removed by excavators, destroying valuable bird habitat in the process. The area was regionally dcsignated as an Environmentally Sensitive Mcea and an Area of Natural and Scientifie Interest. Jaosonî Misni<r <au lbc ueaclu'd awjuisner@ i)l toi n w iaouIîapion . c(un. Comment ......6-7 HS Report .......8 Lit estyles..12-14 Classif led .... .24-28 Dateline ....... 30 Sports ......B1 -B6 1 iLL! -,dgkI