Dear editor,
The Aeronautics Act is a large document.
It contains a section that lists regulations for several airports.
Comox Airport Regulation SOR-80-803 specifically states:.... 鈥淧aragraph 6 - NATURAL GROWTH. Where an object of natural growth on any land to which these Regulations apply exceeds in elevation any of the surfaces set out in paragraphs 5(a) to (c), the Minister may make a direction that the owner or occupier of the land on which that object is growing remove the excessive growth thereof.鈥�
My interpretation of Paragraph 6 is that an owner of 鈥渘atural growth鈥� can be asked to remove or trim their trees at his/her expense. Trimming of one tall, grownup tree can cost $500 to $1,000.
Therefore, having 50 trees on a property could cost more than an official assessment of an older house.
Mr. T. Walsh pointed out the legal action related to tree trimming was discontinued and that all but three properties/owners in Kye Bay Road area have agreed to have their trees trimmed. It is also my understanding that the Department of National Defence offered to absorb associated costs.
Based on the above, why cannot tree trimming be initiated now?
The property owners, who initiated Judicial Review, would have an option to join their neighbours and trim all trees simultaneously. If they would again choose to delay for any reason, they would in fact elect to pay for trimming themselves and not by taxpayers.
I am not familiar with all aspects of this activity but I know that there are many people in Comox Valley who can use a chainsaw efficiently and could have trimming completed in no time.
It would be nice to start May 1. What do you think?
Here are appropriate links and check yourself if I did not misinterpret the regulations.
Comox Airport Regulation: and Aeronautics Act: .
Paul Knettig,
Area B
