Plan from PG&E communications: 17 Trees:
Phase 1 - immediate (imminent threats): This work has been completed and consisted of only trees that had grown within 10 feet from the conductor wires. A total of 17 trees located on six properties were removed on April 26 and 27 because they presented the biggest risk to public safety.
Up to 4500 trees:
Phase 2: This work will focus on trees that could encroach within 10 feet of the conductor wire at maximum sag by the end of the growing season and before completion of Phase 3 work described below. We conducted an initial assessment by foot and have recently completed aerial assessments (using Light Detection and Ranging – LiDAR – technology), which will give us a precise count. When we have all of the data from the LiDAR scans, we will have an accurate number of trees that will need to be removed. We will continue to contact each property owner in advance and schedule this work to take place between May 10 and June 15, 2012, beginning in areas that pose the highest threat to public safety and fire risk. This phase was previously slated to be completed by May 15, but was moved out one month to allow more time to communicate with the affected property owners.
est. 10,000 to 100,000 trees*
Phase 3: right-of-way reclamation work: This work will be scheduled once we complete modeling, communicate with affected property owners and perform an environmental screening. We are targeting for this work to take place between July 1 and November 30, 2012. The schedule for this third phase of work will allow significant time to communicate with property owners. * this is an estimate by SOS-Trees as PGE will not provide estimate
What is PG&E's Plan? Check their Website
Please read PG&E's material linked here to get their view of how they want to change from the past process of lopping and trimming to maintain safe clearance. While periodic trimming worked for the past 50 years, PG&E believes they can save money to maximize profits by destroying the trees and allowing only grass a bushes to grow. They are less concerned with the unintended consequences of :
- erosion damage
- flooding due to erosion debris and silting
- loss of property value due to unsightly view of towers
- loss of scenic views from the roadside
- loss of habitat for species of fish, amphibians, reptiles, and birds
What are the consequences? View the results of clearcutting along a tributary of Copeland Creek (below)
Removal by chainsaw and herbicide
These redwoods will become garage doors or decking and the grass will grow after the herbicide kills tree roots. That is if the soil does not wash away in the winter storms.
What's at Stake? By the numbers...