Spring 2007 Newsletter
CSERC publicizes the cutting of old growth oaks to underscore the need to close loopholes in oak protection policies
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One morning, CSERC received a number of phone calls to alert us that giant oaks were being cut down outside of Sonora. John hurried down to the site and managed to temporarily convince the crew to halt the clearing. Shortly after he left, however, the cutting of giant valley oaks and live oaks resumed. The property owners reportedly claimed that the giant trees were “hazardous” or “a fire risk,” but the work crew told John the trees were being cleared in preparation for grading and construction of buildings. Despite CSERC’s many contacts with County officials, it soon became clear that property owners can legally wipe out old growth trees that might otherwise require protection – if the owners haven’t actually filed any application for development. |
A week later, on a County-sponsored field trip set up to look at oak protection issues, CSERC managed to get many participants to visit the oak-clearing site and look at the widespread cutting. Passionate workers in nearby offices came out to share their frustrations about the loss of so many healthy trees (a helpful employee poses above at just one of numerous areas where large trees were cut down). CSERC is working hard to get oak policies passed to penalize property owners who clear oaks first and then apply for permits.
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CSERC | PO Box 396 | Twain Harte, CA 95383 | (209) 586-7440 | info@cserc.org
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