The task force reported their findings, on Thursday December 9th, to a meeting of about thirty residents at the home of Bill & Barbara Grey, on Barnaby Street.

Local ANC commissioner Deborah Redmond gave an overview of the actions taken by the task force, the city and PEPCO since the initial meeting, and when the stop work order was issued. The actions in Barnaby Woods, and in ward five, have led to the creation of two city wide task forces, to examine the matter of the removal and pruning of trees by utilities, (one by the PUC and one by DDOT). Although the details remain vague, the DDOT task force will have representation from the responsible city agencies, utilities and residents (Deborah hopes up to two from Barnaby Woods).

John Mueller talked of the task force’s presentation to the Council’s Public Works and Environment Committee.
(Video of the committee hearing is available on the District Council’s website (John’s testimony is in section’s 3 and 4 ))
Apparently, there is to be an up or down vote on the proposed Urban Forest Preservation rules, that have gone through the review process recently. After these have been adopted, they can be amended, we hope, make PEPCO, accountable to the Public Service Commission for tree removal and pruning. John stressed the importance of creating accountability for PEPCO, and sanctions, in the form of hefty fines for violations, that at the moment only apply to the citizenry.

Dean Girdis described briefly the trees that there was agreement amongst all parties to remove, and those that were still in dispute. Four trees, it seems were either in poor enough condition, or were damaged severely enough by PEPCO pruning, to warrant removal. Two were still in dispute. The others were deemed to be in a condition, that mild to moderate pruning would be a sufficient to improve their health. (See the listing of individual trees for details)

To summarize the present situation: Of the original 13 trees, slated by PEPCO for removal, 3 were removed before the stop work order, 4 will be removed because of poor health or PEPCO damage, 4 will be saved with pruning and 2 are still in dispute.

Keith Pichford and others noted that there was no current plan for the care of mature trees in the city, and that neglect over the past years has been a serious problem that should be addressed. Keith pointed out that management of mature trees is quite different to that for, more robust, younger trees. Curb, road and pavement work is commonly carried out without regard for the potential damage to old trees. The current work on Western Avenue was sited as an example.

There was a general appreciation, by the residents in attendance to the members of the task force for their good work.

Residents asked what they could do now, to promote the preservation of our trees. Commissioner Redmond urged a good attendance at the upcoming ANC3/4G meeting on Monday 12th December. It was also suggested that lobbying members of the council, by phone and letter, especially councilpersons on the P.W.&E. committee would be helpful.

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