The South Nation Conservation Authority (SNC) and Champlain Township have an agreement for a tree-planting project on 2.35 acres of municipal land in L’Orignal. The township set aside $750 in the budget towards part of the cost for planting 1600 native tree seedlings under the direction of the SNC.

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Report d’un projet dew plantation d’arbres à L’Orignal

A public works department report to council noted levelling of the site took place last year. A follow-up inspection revealed “buried cement blocks, large boulders, and other garbage that was buried by contractors” from a previous development project.

Public works crews spent about 40 hours last fall to fix up the site for tree planting but then had to quit to deal with winter road maintenance demands because of the early winter. Public Works Director James McMahon estimates another week of site-preparation work is still needed and may involve between $5000 to $7000 in extra cost because the township may need to contract for heavy equipment to unearth the debris and clean up the site.

The present public works budget does not include funds for the extra work. The project is on hold so the public works department can prepare a detailed report for council to review as part of the 2021 budget discussion process this fall.