City Home Page
Pine Beetle Information
A combination of mild winters and dry conditions have resulted in the Southern Pine Beetle making excursions into our area. Thousands of pine trees in our area have been infested by the beetles and are dead or dying. Literally hundreds of these trees directly threaten public improvements including electric lines.
The Pine Beetle situation is causing a great hardship on many property owners. To try and help, the City Council authorized the Electric Department to remove dead or diseased pine trees that might be threatening publicly owned improvements, including electric lines, roadways, or public buildings.
However, the Department is not authorized to:
·
remove trees that threaten only private property,·
remove trees that threaten adjacent private property (e.g. Trees may be located in one lot, but it may threaten to fall on the property or properties next to it.)·
remove trees that threaten only service lines. The property owner is responsible to maintain clear air space for service lines.
The Council authorization is temporary and will expire when the emergency situation concerning pine beetles has abated.
Please note: If any tree dies and/or reaches a condition where it represents an imminent threat to Public or Private Property, the City may be forced to require the property owner to remove the tree at the owner’s sole expense. The Council resolution to assist in the removal of some trees does not remove this authority.
Removal Policies:
Public Rights of Way
Pine trees on the public right of way that are dead or dying will be removed and debris cleaned up at no expense to adjoining property owners. The City will cut the trees and remove and dispose of all brush and logs from the trees. The City will not remove stumps. The City can neither be responsible nor repair minor damage occasioned by the removal operations, including damage to other trees or shrubs, and disturbing yards that result from the work.
Private Property
Dead or diseased pine trees located on private property which is landscaped or on improved areas will be removed if they threaten public property and if the property owner signs an agreement for the removal. The City will cut the trees and remove and dispose of all brush and logs from the trees. The City will not remove stumps. The City can neither be responsible nor repair minor damage occasioned by the removal operations, including damage to other trees or shrubs, and disturbing yards that result from the work.
Dead or diseased pine trees located on private property which is not landscaped or in wooded areas will be removed if they threaten public property and if the property owner signs an agreement for the removal. The City will fall these trees and leave them where they fall. The City will not remove the trees or brush or in any way clean up the work except to provide that roads, trails , drive and drainage ways remain open.
