Tree Assessments, Removals - Laserfiche WebLink

New Search

Finally, nowhere in the document is reference made to other tree trimming practices that may have been conducted on the trees in question. For example, the trees have regularly been trimmed by City staff for street clearance purposes. It seems possible that this trimming could have contributed to the poor health of these trees. Having said this, EWEB also acknowledges its responsibility for the negative impact our pruning practices have had on these trees. Accordingly, we are considering alternative methods of addressing the situation and would ask that the City of Eugene enter into a partnership with us in choosing the best approach. First, we are willing to participate with the City in undertaking a neighborhood tree planting program in an effort to enhance the ambient quality of the neighborhood. The Arborist's report contains information on potential locations in the Whiteaker Neighborhood for tree planting. We suggest that a task force be formed to put a planting program together and begin planting activities. EWEB is willing to pay for the new trees and assist in planting them. Second, we have been examining alternatives with respect to the transmission and distribution lines that are located on either side of Adams Street, from 3r to 6 Avenues, where the 31 identified trees are located. One alternative would be to underground these facilities at a point toward the middle of the street, at a cost we estimate to be $220,000 (this does not include undergrounding the connections into individual homes, which would be about $3,000 per connection). Another alternative would be to extend the height of the utility poles that support these power lines. We estimate this cost to be $300,000, excluding individual source laterals. In accordance with the spirit of the undergrounding discussions held between EWEB and the City of Eugene in 1998 and 1999, we would ask the City to join us in exploring potential public or private sources of outside funding that may be accessed to pay for any undergrounding work on Adams Street that may be preferred. For example, there may be community block grant funds or other fund sources we could explore. In summary, we have very strong reservations about the unfairness and bias of some of the comments and conclusions made in The Arborist's report on the health of "The 31 Trees in Whiteaker Neighborhood." Even so, EWEB acknowledges that past tree trimming practices, although conducted in accordance with what was considered to be current and accepted industry tree trimming standards, contributed to the poor health of these trees. We propose that EWEB and the City undertake a tree planting program in the neighborhood, and that we further discuss utility infrast •. sues that exist on Adams Street. Sincere h 4111W Garry Kunkel, Director Electric Division 7