Save the American River Association and Trees for Sacramento call on PG&E and the County of Sacramento to halt PG&E tree removals in the American River Parkway, As part of vegetation clearance along and adjacent to its power line easements, PG&E has been removing many healthy, mature trees. This project is having a major detrimental impact on our Parkway. The County should insist that PG&E produce evidence of compliance with the California and Federal Endangered Species Acts, and CEQA Compliance, or stop the work now.

"The clear-cut operation is unprecedented and contrary to the American River Parkway Plan and other State and County protections for the environment," said Stephen Green, President of Save the American River Association. "SARA has asked and PG&E has produced no environmental review, consultation or permits for undertaking tree removal or disturbing protected plant and animal species. Our Parkway is far too important to the community for the County to turn a blind eye to this "scorched earth" approach to vegetation removal. The County is charged with the protection of our Parkway and its fragile and rare riparian habitat. Other communities have been able to persuade PG&E to be reasonable in tree removal. Our County has not even tried to prevent the removal of trees that are no threat to power lines."

"Our research has shown that in other counties, PG&E has cooperated with County officials to comply with local and state regulations to protect the environment," said Osha Meserve, Attorney for SARA. As far as we know, no tree removal permit has been issued by Sacramento County."

PG&E will be at work on December 26 and 27 to remove vegetation and trees at Mile 8.5 of the American River Parkway. "The power lines are far above the treetops in the area, and the trees are medium sized. There is no possibility that a falling tree will impact a power line or damage a tower at this location," observed Jim Pachl, Trees for Sacramento activist and retired attorney.

Trees for Sacramento is concerned that the County of Sacramento is not enforcing its tree ordinance protections for the PG&E vegetation clearance project. Moreover, added Pachl, "Ground that have been cleared and disturbed is rapidly colonized by a noxious weed, thistle, which is likely to happen wherever PG&E clears. There is no plan for restoration or mitigation."

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