HomeMy WebLinkAboutPa Tree Advisory Council (2)PA Tree Advisory Council July 12°", 2018
Dear Mayor, Councilmembers, and City Administrators:
We are happy to hear that the City is working on policies regarding community trees in parks
and on public property. To assist with that endeavor, we are currently reviewing Port Angeles
policies regarding tree and vegetation management. We will be providing the City with a
resource that compares and contrasts our local code with other local jurisdictions. The goal is
to highlight Port Angeles strengths and identify where we can improve.
Important aspects of tree and vegetation management policies include: providing adequate
public notice before full removals; assessments of tree risk and health in accordance with best
management practices; consideration of impacts and alternatives during management
decisions; enforcement; assessing impacted ecosystem services and providing a mitigation
plan to replace lost services; and in the event a public tree is removed, considering community
input about, and committing to a plan regarding use of the wood.
We hope to engage in cooperative efforts with the Parks and Recreation Department, the
Parks, Recreation & Beautification Commission, the Community & Economic Development
Department, Public Works and Utilities Department to develop appropriate and progressive
policies for the City to engage with.
We ask that City Staff delay major actions in regard to any significant community trees that
have not been assessed as an immediate risk, to allow time for the Tree Advisory Council to
provide useful materials to the City that will aid in decision making regarding valuable
community assets. We understand that the process following the assessment of the sequoia
tree in Lions Park has been well documented and can act as a case study for mature tree
management in Port Angeles. In the next six weeks we will provide City Staff with an
assessment of Port Angeles's current process for tree and vegetation management, existing
policies, alternative city policies, and community input that can lead to a more robust and
informed management of City trees.
Thank you for all of your work and consideration. We look forward to working with you.
Sincerely,
Port Angeles Tree Advisory Council
Paige Belfry
Elizabeth Dunne
Devon Gray
Christeal Milburn
Brian Phillips
Diana Somerville
Justin Vendettuoh