Plans are underway to initiate another brush pick-up of Hurricane Juan tree debris. Its has been almost two years since Juan hit (Sept. 29/03) but its destruction still lingers on. Early on a brush pick-up program was initiated. It had some success but there's simply too much down to deal with in a reasonable time frame. Some have been fortunate enough to have insurance policies that covered most of their clean up costs. Others have had other resources such as capital and equipment to clean up their own properties. While many others have been overwhelmed at what to do.

The HRM Open Air Burning Bylaw had to be amended to allow for some burning of this debris. HRM has been working with DNR and CFIA to work through programs that they have that may be able to offer some salvage help to homeowners and small wood lot landowners. Back in January, 2005 (Issue #86) there was the $1 Million Enhanced Wood Salvage Program for large landowners within the Brown Spruce Longhorn Beetle (BSLB) restricted zone. This work was done during the dormant season of the beetle larvae. Now with it being the 'flight season', that effort to contain and eradicate the beetle has ceased. As reported in March 2005 (Issue #88), your local elected representatives (MLA Bill Dooks & myself) have been lobbying senior government officials in an attempt to secure more funding and cooperation for other clean-up initiatives. The Federal & Provincial Govt.'s have recently agreed to have another recovering initiative under the auspices of the Federal Disaster Assistance (FDA) program.

We are formulating a second brush pick-up program but it will be restricted to the BSLB Quarantined Zone west of the Lake Echo / Lawrencetown Lake waterline, then over to Bissett Road in Cole Harbour, then along the old railway trail to Caldwell Road in Eastern Passage. As well behind John Stewart Drive & along Broom Road in Westphal, then over to the Hwy #107 By-pass by Lake Loon. So the following communities will have the opportunity of having their brush picked up once again:

Lake Echo & Mineville (west of the waterline),

East Preston,

North Preston,

West Lawrencetown,

Upper Lawrencetown,

Little Salmon River,

Ross Road,

Westphal,

Lake Major,

Cherry Brook,

Lake Loon,

Montague Mines,

Spider Lake,

Cole Harbour,

Cow Bay and Eastern Passage ( east of Caldwell Road).

Areas outside the BSLB zone ( such as Porters Lake, West Porters Lake, East Lawrencetown, Conrod Settlement & the Chezzetcooks ) will not be eligible for cost recovery assistance from the FDA program. Hopefully we can devise an alternative effort that can help.

HRM has engaged the services of a Forestry Consultant and they have been devising a Brush Pick-up Plan. A physical assessment and volume calculation of the situation had to be done. Some aerial photography of current residential subdivisions conditions was taken to update the digital mapping forest information already on hand. Hopefully soon we can begin this initiative by this July. With the magnitude of debris, it is important for us to be focused on accomplishing this task during the month of July. It is planned to have the residents utilize time, especially on weekends, to stockpile their brush and branches ( up to 4 inches in diameter ) along the edge of their property nearest to the road. Pick-up of material will be scheduled for Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays on a rotational basis throughout the affected communities.

For those residents that have some trees that need removal there is a Saw-mill operator that will gladly remove your trees and logs for free. This mill operator is intending to take as much of the tree as possible( tree trunk, barrel, large limbs and some brush; at no cost). New Arbor Products is currently able to use logs that are at least six (6) inches in diameter on the small end and at least eight foot - four inches (100") long. He will try to recoup his operational costs by processing these trees into cut timber, fibre and mulch. The mill will be situated on the Old Miller Road behind the old orphanage building on the lands of the NS Home for Coloured Children. For additional information, please contact Jim Verboom of New Arbour Products 1-902-897-0878 or by email verboom@ns.sympatico.ca .

It is important to remember that the purpose of this brush pick-up program and tree removal service is to make our homes and neighbourhoods safer. Be sure to 'Fire Smart' your property. So please be ready when the time comes to spring into action. Official notification will be circulated to confirm these details that I have outlined. Your cooperation is critical. And be sure to help out your neighbour too. Thanks.