Laserfiche WebLink
In fact, the most recent edition of the City of Santa Ana's Designated Tree Species Guide <br />(March 2021) issued by the PWA, states the following policies: <br />• It is the City of Santa Ana's Tree Removal Policy to deny removal of any tree on <br />the City's Designated Species list and to make repairs to the hardscape. <br />• It is the City of Santa Ana's Tree Removal Policy to deny removal of any tree <br />species that is not on the City of Santa Ana Designated Species list and not causing <br />significant infrastructure damage. <br />• It is the City of Santa Ana's Tree Removal Policy to approve removal of any tree <br />species that is not in the City of Santa Ana Designated Species Guide and causing <br />significant infrastructure damage and to make repairs to the hardscape. <br />• It is the City of Santa Ana's Tree Removal Policy to remove a tree if it is dead, <br />diseased beyond repair or a hazard to the public. <br />• It is the City of Santa Ana's Tree Removal Policy to place a notice on any tree that <br />is approved for removal by the policy prior to scheduling removal. <br />• It is the City of Santa Ana's Tree Removal Policy to bring appeals to this policy to <br />the Environmental Transportation and Advisory Commission for their decision. <br />Since the Canary Island Pines are listed in the Designated Tree Species Guide, the City <br />through the PWA, should have been informed of and should have denied the removal of <br />these trees on city property by SCE. Furthermore, since SCE did not seek or get city <br />approval to remove the trees, the city should fine SCE appropriately, not only for the value <br />of the trees that were removed, but also impose a punitive fine for not seeking city <br />approval. <br />In the budget for the 2019-20 fiscal year, Santa Ana spent over $4 million on an urban <br />forest. If Santa Ana wishes to be known as a Tree City and a supporter of the environment, <br />it should monitor the city-wide destruction of trees by SCE as well as many home owners, <br />encouraging the protection and maintenance of local trees. <br />We recommend that the city's Climate Action Plan of 2015 be updated and include a public <br />and private role in creating a healthy urban forest in Santa Ana. A robust tree canopy <br />reduces carbons, provides shade and cover in high temperatures, and adds to the beauty <br />and values of our communities. <br />We welcome further communication regarding our requests and collaboration with the <br />city s tree projects. We can arrange a virtual or in -person contact with the council at <br />your/their convenience. <br />Respectfully Submitted, <br />Rev. Susan Chamberlain, President, OC Interfaith Coalition for the Environment, OCICE <br />Margo Finlayson, Co -Chair, Climate Reality, Orange County Ca. Chapter <br />Vladimir Goren, President, People and Trees, Santa Ana, Ca. <br />Virginia Bernal, Citizens' Climate Lobby, Santa Ana, Ca. Chapter <br />Ed Mauer, Rep., Sierra Sage, Sierra Club OC <br />Larry Mein, former ETAC Commissioner, Ward 3 <br />Tristan Miller, Vice -Chair, Climate Reality, OC, Ca. / S.A. Ward 3 resident <br />