Electricity Reliability and the Cambria Pine Forest (How Many Trees Did You Lose?)

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A Noisy Few Weeks.

For almost two weeks, the usual quiet of Cambria was replaced by a near constant hum of chainsaws and the louder droning of chippers grinding up Cambria’s tree branches. PG&E’s contracted tree trimmers were out in force here on Lodge Hill. They cut down two large pines in my front yard and an even bigger one across the street was removed. Cluttered on nearly every lot and in many front yards all over Cambria you can see the large rounds that were left behind. My yard was also littered with smaller branches and a couple of nests, creating the perfect fuel forgetting a fire going.

Before the cutting

After The Cutting

On Ardath Drive

A PG&E arborist was in the neighborhood this last winter, evaluating all the trees near the power lines. About 6 weeks later, another PG&E rep brought by a notice that two of our trees would be cut down because they were diseased and threatening the power lines.  This is the third major mature tree removed by PG&E since we moved in. All of them were unhealthy or dying and threatened the power lines.

Stump in foreground from 2002 tree removal. Others along left side removed in 2009.

The first tree PG&E took down was in November 2002. The last 30 or so feet fell the wrong way as they tried to take it down, pulling down 3 power poles, closing Ardath for over a day and cutting power to about 1/3 of Cambrian homes. That one was left right where it fell, occupying the entire front yard until we could afford to have someone cut and haul away the carcass. The tree company never came back or contacted us after the accident.

The remains of the two trees cut down this year now litter my side yard and have reduced the amount of yard space my dogs have by over half. Removing these remains are not part of what PG&E does, apparently. The reliability of our electricity infrastructure has been improved, but fuel for a fire in Cambria has just grown exponentially.

Fuel for Fire

Fuel for fire

The Big(ger) Picture

Recent letters to the Cambrian and an article in the New Times reflect the concern of community members have about destruction of our precious Monterey Pine forest.  One of the first things I learned as a member of the North Coast Advisory Council was Cambrians feel strongly about protecting our trees. Tree removal is an issue of San Luis Obispo County authority. Here in Cambria, no tree over 8” in diameter at 4’ from the ground may be removed or killed unless a permit is first issued.   A permit can only be issued if the tree meets certain criteria. To comply with County ordinances designed to protect existing trees and other coastal vegetation from indiscriminate or unnecessary removal consistent with local coastal plan policies and pursuant to Section 30251 of the Coastal Act which requires protection of scenic and visual qualities of coastal areas, you and I have to get a permit from the County and pay a fee of at least $123 (plus $123 for hazardous tree determination.) We are also expected to replace “any tree removed to accommodate new development or because it is a safety hazard shall be replaced, in a location on the site and with a species common to the community…” (County Ord.  23.05.064)

The PG&E Power

The New Times article by Colin Rigley (Aug 6-13 edition) stated the tree cutting by PG&E was exempt from permitting by the County. After reading the related  Coastal Land Use Ordinance (CZLUO), it’s not clear why PG&E is exempt. And because PG&E didn’t get tree removal permits, (at $123 per tree) they are also exempt from the tree replacement requirement.   Read the Coastal Zone Land Use Ordinance specific to tree removal standards.

In addition to the CZLUO, the County’s  North Coast Area Plan (NCAP) provides even more specific standards for tree removal and replacement. The Planning Area Standards for Cambria states: “Any Monterey pine trees that are six inches or more in diameter 4.5 feet above ground removed shall be replaced at a 4:1 ratio. Any oak trees that are four inches or more in diameter 4.5 feet above ground removed shall be replaced at a 6:1 ratio.” (NCAP page 7-23, Revised August 2008)

Cambria’s Living Pine Forest

Whether or not PG&E should be exempt from County fees and permitting, or forgiven for leaving behind thousands of feet of wood on properties all over town (during fire season), we should not ignore the intent of the policies and ordinances that help re-populate our forest. Most of the tall trees that surround us began after the extensive clear cutting Cambria suffered about a hundred years ago and have reached the end of their natural lives. There will be fewer and fewer that are healthy and thriving, especially considering the ongoing drought conditions.

Greenspace, The Cambria Landtrust has a nursery of trees, ready for planting, to fill in where the old trees have died or been removed.  If you had any trees removed by PG&E, or even if you didn’t, help revitalize our forest by planting a replacement tree. The volunteers at Greenspace can help find a place to plant the tree, whether on your property or elsewhere. If you plant it yourself, remember to plant it away from places where it might threaten the power lines!

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