Show support for Oakland's Protected Tree Ordinance
Details
Dear Oakland tree supporters -
An urgent tree enforcement matter will be the subject of a special meeting of the City Council on April 14 @ 3.30 PM. Click here to read our letter to the City. This case involves a local person who deliberately, and in direct defiance of Tree Services staff instructions, destroyed approximately 50 trees, many of which are large, mature native species and are legally protected.
Here is where you can help. The tree services staff has recommended a fine of $915,000. However several Council Members are considering modifying the sanctions, probably lessening them. We need as many tree supporters as possible to contact the Council at the upcoming hearing and urge that the recommended sanctions be maintained. There are two ways you can participate -
- To speak in person, please arrive before the meeting starts and fill out a speaker card. The clerk will only accept speaker cards at the beginning of the meeting. If you do not fill one out in time, you will not be allowed to provide public comment.
- To speak over Zoom, please sign up well in advance of the meeting. The cut-off time is 24 hours in advance. Sign-ups close at 3:30 pm on Monday, 4/13.
- Rules for public participation, including instructions for submitting your comments, are posted here.
More details, including the City's reports on this matter, are found in the agenda report on the City website.
If we can show strong community support for our urban forest, and for the enormous work the Tree Services staff performs, including enforcement of violators, it will send a strong message to the City Council that we expect action against violators, and that we support Council Members who support us!
If you are unable to participate in the meeting, either in person or via zoom, please reach out to your individual Council Member by email of phone and register your support for the recommended fine of $915,000! You can locate your City Council Member via this page --
https://oakgis.maps.arcgis.com/apps/instant/lookup/index.html?appid=da589a352c8641459af8a0f890398d44
The message is simple - violators must be held accountable, or more trees will be destroyed!
Sincerely,
Trees for Oakland