Letters

Letters

, Jan 17, 2008, Updated Oct 30, 2009 (3 Reader comments)

Please support tree initiative

To the Editor:

Hot on the heels of the recent victory of Oregon’s Measure 49 comes another positive step that has been proposed for Clackamas County. I’m speaking of the protection of trees by County Ordinance – an idea whose time has come.

Recently in West Linn we have experienced what can happen without an effective county tree ordinance. A large parcel of land which was, at the time, in the county, was cleared of a forest of approximately 40 trees. It was then made into a vineyard and an application was made to be annexed into the city.

This was approved and shortly thereafter a new application came in for a housing development. The forest is gone, the vineyard will be soon, and what we’ll be left with is just another residential development. If the annexation were to have taken place before the trees were cut, most of them would have been protected under West Linn’s tree ordinance. Remember that, with global warming continuing, 40 trees could help process the annual carbon emissions of approximately 160 people.

An effective county tree ordinance would prevent this from happening. You can read the full text of the proposed ordinance at www.CCUrban

Green.org. You can help get this ordinance passed in Clackamas County. Here are three things you can do:

1) Go to www.CCUrban

Green.org, and scroll down to the support link. Click and fill in your name as a supporter.

2) Show up at 10 a.m. today at the County Administration Building at Kaen and Beavercreek Road, Oregon City, and help fill the fourth floor room when the ordinance is presented. Bring your friends and family.

I believe that this ordinance is critical to preserving trees that would otherwise be removed for development. It is a reasonable response to the situation that has been occurring in Clackamas County. Please do what you can to support getting it passed.

Roberta Schwarz

West Linn

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