Val-Morin felling permit

Standards Governing Tree Felling

In addition to complying with provisions for the preservation of natural spaces outlined in Article 5.48, all tree felling is prohibited unless one or more of the following conditions are met:

a) Tree felling or deforestation must not exceed thirty percent (30%) of stems measuring fifteen (15) centimeters or more in diameter at the stump, evenly distributed including forest roads and stacking areas, over a period of ten (10) years for the same location targeted for cutting. The cutting must be subject to forestry prescription and marking, both carried out by a forestry engineer hired by the landowner. Marking must be done at 0.3 meters and 1.7 meters from the stump;

b) For cutting that requires forestry prescription and marking by a forestry engineer, felling must be carried out exclusively between December 1st of one year and March 31st of the following year.

c) On mountain peaks identified in the zoning plan available in Annex A, the provisions of section 11.8 of this regulation apply.

d) The area that can be deforested in one piece varies depending on the average slope of the land to be cleared:

i. When the average slope of the land to be cleared is between 0% and 5%, the maximum area that can be deforested is set at 1,000 m2.

ii. When the average slope of the land to be cleared is 5% or more but less than 10%, the maximum area that can be deforested is set at 700 m2.

iii. When the average slope of the land to be cleared is 10% or more but less than 20%, the maximum area that can be deforested is set at 350 m2.

iv. When the average slope of the land to be cleared is 20% or more but less than 26%, the maximum area that can be deforested is set at 150 m2.

v. When the average slope of the land to be cleared is 26% or more, only sanitation, thinning, or gardening cuts are allowed.

ZONING REGULATION (Regulation No. 740) CHAPTER 5: PROVISIONS APPLICABLE TO ALL USES ON THE ENTIRE TERRITORY

e) Notwithstanding the provision of paragraph a) of this article, tree felling or deforestation for the establishment of a principal building on vacant land, or for the expansion or reconstruction of a principal building on already constructed land, whether partially serviced or not serviced by water or sewer networks, is allowed under the following conditions:

i. On plots with an area of less than 2000 square meters, a maximum of 50% of the land area may be deforested;

ii. On plots with an area ranging from 2000 to 4000 square meters, a maximum of 40% of the land area may be deforested.

iii. On plots with an area greater than 4000 square meters, a maximum of 30% of the land area may be deforested, up to a maximum of 2000 m2.

f) Notwithstanding the provision of paragraph a) of this article, tree felling or deforestation is allowed on the entire land area designated for extensive recreational facilities, roads, or public or municipal utility works.

g) Notwithstanding the provision of paragraph a) of this article, tree felling or deforestation is allowed in the case of trees dead or damaged by fire, insects, wind (windfall), fungi, or other harmful natural agents, or for clearing for agricultural purposes.

i. Furthermore, when a stand is severely affected by fire, wind, or other harmful natural agents, total tree cutting, conversion cutting, or recovery cutting may be authorized over the entire affected area. Cutting must be subject to forestry prescription and marking carried out 0.3 m from the base of the tree by a forestry engineer.

h) Notwithstanding the provision of paragraph a) of this article, tree felling or deforestation is also allowed in the following cases:

i. The tree poses a danger to the health and safety of individuals;

ii. The tree is a nuisance to the growth and well-being of neighboring trees;

iii. The tree causes damage to public and private property;

iv. The tree must necessarily be felled as part of public works execution;

v. The tree must necessarily be felled for the construction of an access road with a maximum width of 5 meters, to conduct a soil test, for future construction purposes.

Replacement of felled trees

Except for construction purposes, every tree felling requires the planting of a new tree of the same species for each tree cut down, provided it is a native species (birch, maple, spruce, etc.). The felling of an exotic species tree must also be replaced by a tree of a native species. When the tree to be felled is located on the riverbank, the tree to be planted must also be located on the riverbank and comply with applicable provisions for this purpose.