One Harlow resident says about 100 trees were removed on Monday in preparation for the construction of a permanent berm. Another resident says wildlife are even getting vocal about the loss of their habitat.--NEWS PHOTO
As trees come down in the greenbelt in Harlow one resident says it is distressing for the wildlife.
“The animals are screaming like crazy for the last two hours, the animals in our back area are going crazy,” said Ryan Shrives on Monday night.
After the first Harlow berm was constructed a number of years ago there was still a greenbelt between the South Saskatchewan River and homes further east. It is this area that is now being cleared of trees to make way for an extension of the berm.
The News requested information from Fish & Wildlife about the impact on wildlife and whether those that currently use this area to reach the river for water or to sleep during the day will move to another area of town. There was no response Tuesday.
The city has said it is not sure exactly how many trees will be removed.
The clearing of trees began Monday in a small section close to Harris Street and Finlay Court.
David Baron, a resident on Finlay Court, says he watched more than 100 trees cut down.
“I was sick to my stomach,” he said.
The berm will border Baron’s property. He says one of the trees bordered both his property and the greenbelt. He says he asked if it could be left but “there was no discussion” at all.
He says the experience of dealing with city officials and council about this project has been unpleasant and it has been hard to get questions answered.
People who like to walk on the trail in the area and along the top of the existing berm should note that there are restrictions in place while the trees are coming down.
The tree-clearing process will take about a week to complete and crews will then wait until about April to start building the berm.
Carlie Collier, engineer with municipal works, says the project will cost about $3.6 million. The placement of the berm will be no closer than five metres from property boundaries.
The berm will be built between the South Saskatchewan River and the boundaries of nearby properties on Finlay Court, Link Court, Eighth Street SW through to a lift station on Seventh Street.
The lift station at the bottom of Seventh Street will be closed and pipes from it to another lift station on Harris Street will be concealed inside the berm.
