'Thousands' of tonnes of debris collected after May 21 storm
The City of Ottawa is shifting its response to the May 21 derecho storm after collecting “thousands of tonnes” of debris from around the city.
The storm that blew through Ottawa on the Victoria Day long weekend did tremendous damage to the city’s electrical grid and tree canopy. In a memo Monday, Public Works general manager Alain Gonthier said city workers have collected “an enormous amount” of debris in the aftermath.
“Thousands of tonnes of tree debris were hauled to six City yards while staff determine beneficial re-use for this organic material. In addition, over 400 tonnes of organic debris was brought to Trail Road for processing,” Gonthier wrote.
The city has struck a working group to determine how best to use the tree debris, including best ways to repurpose wood chips and larger wood pieces.
Citizens had until Friday to get their debris to the curb for special cleanup outside the normal collection process. Gonthier says final passes are ongoing.
The city’s public works department is now shifting to debris management, specialized forestry work, clean up and repair efforts in city parks, and tree replanting.
Gonthier said public works has identified 350 uprooted tree stumps that need to be removed, not including those in parks.
“Stump removal, particularly at this scale, is a complex task. A stump removal working group has been developed to determine tactics for the safe removal of these stumps, and how to promptly fill the holes left behind,” Gonthier said.
Stumps located on the side of the road will be prioritized before crews work on removing stumps in parks.
Gonthier said that 40 per cent of the 1,300 parks the city owns were affected by the storm. Cleanup work is ongoing and what remains requires specialized equipment. However, Gonthier notes that 98 per cent of parkland in the city is accessible and safe to use.
City staff are conducting a tree canopy loss assessment to determine how many trees were lost to the storm, but Gonthier described the loss as “significant.”
The assessment will determine the scale of replanting efforts, which are expected to begin this fall.
Residents who would like a City tree planted in the city-owned portion of their property can submit a request online through the city’s trees in trust program. Gonthier said the city has also extended the deadline for the schoolyard tree planting grant program to October.
Replanting in parks is set to begin in 2023.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Pedestrian, baby injured after stroller struck and dragged by vehicle in Squamish, B.C.
Police say a baby and a pedestrian suffered non-life-threatening injuries after a vehicle struck a baby stroller and dragged it for two blocks before stopping in Squamish, B.C.
Demonstrators kicked out of Ontario legislature for disruption after failed keffiyeh vote
A group of demonstrators were kicked out of the legislature after a second NDP motion calling for unanimous consent to reverse a ban on the keffiyeh failed to pass.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
RCMP uncovers alleged plot by 2 Montreal men to illegally sell drones, equipment to Libya
The RCMP says it has uncovered a plot by two men in Montreal to sell Chinese drones and military equipment to Libya illegally.
Government agrees to US$138.7M settlement over FBI's botching of Larry Nassar assault allegations
The U.S. Justice Department announced a US$138.7 million settlement Tuesday with more than 100 people who accused the FBI of grossly mishandling allegations of sexual assault against Larry Nassar in 2015 and 2016, a critical time gap that allowed the sports doctor to continue to prey on victims before his arrest.
Man wanted in connection with deadly shooting in Toronto tops list of most wanted fugitives in Canada
A 35-year-old man wanted in connection with the murder of Toronto resident 29-year-old Sharmar Powell-Flowers nine months ago has topped the list of the BOLO program’s 25 most wanted fugitives across Canada, police announced Tuesday.
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.
Pro-Palestinian protests roiling U.S. colleges escalate with arrests, new encampments and closures
The student protests of Israel's war with Hamas that have been creating friction at U.S. universities escalated Tuesday as new encampments sprouted and some colleges encouraged students to stay home and learn online, after dozens of arrests across the country.
Tabloid publisher says he pledged to be Trump campaign's 'eyes and ears' during 2016 race
A veteran tabloid publisher testified Tuesday that he pledged to be Donald Trump 's 'eyes and ears' during his 2016 presidential campaign, recounting how he promised the then-candidate that he would help suppress stories that had the potential to harm the Republican's election bid.