Pepco – Barnaby Woods Tree Trimming Controversy Continues
Barnaby Woods Residents Seek Amendment to Protect Trees from Utility Companies

By Mandy McAnally

Months of tree trimming controversy has prompted Barnaby Tree Task Force members to take legislative action to protect city trees from utility companies. The task force, which includes residents of Barnaby St. and surrounding areas, was created in response to unnecessary tree removal and pruning by Pepco in Ward 4’s Barnaby Woods and Ward 5’s Rhode Island Avenue neighborhoods.

“The task force, with the backing of Councilman Fenty, Advisory Neighborhood Commission 3 /4G and District officials, are moving to amend the Urban Forestry Preservation Act (UPFA),” said Task Force member Michael Katzmann, “to hold utility companies like Pepco more accountable for the removal of city trees.”

As the UPFA stands now, any individual wanting to remove a Special Tree, or tree with a circumference of 55 inches or more, from his or her property must first obtain a permit from the Mayor’s office.

According to the current UFPA, however, public utility companies such as Pepco are allowed to do utility construction, line maintenance and emergency work within the District’s rights-of-way without going through the Special Tree removal permit process.

The Barnaby Tree Task Force amendment calls for companies like Pepco to give a 30-day notice to all residents within 150 feet of a Special Tree slated for removal, as well as a description of the planned action and a way to obtain a report that supports the removal. The amendment also states that the 30-day notice may be waived if the tree has been certified by an arborist to be deadly enough cause harm to people and property or if property owners have agreed in writing to the removal of the tree.

Deborah Redmond, ANC 3/4G commissioner, is optimistic the amendment will pass.

“We are hoping this effort will coincide with other tree task force efforts to put a policy in place by April,” Redmond said. “I think it would be good for the city, citizens and, frankly, PEPCO, because if everyone feels confidently – if everyone lives by same standards – then when they see a PEPCO truck, there will be more support. Right now there is a trust issue.”

Ted Trabue, Pepco’s regional vice president for the District of Columbia, said Pepco’s goal is to find a solution to the tree topping and removal issue.

“We’re trying to work with the residents. They’re customers. They’re neighbors of ours,” Trabue said. “A lot has been made of this 90-day moratorium. Clearly we’re not watching the clock. We want to resolve this issue.”

Tensions began to mount among Barnaby Street residents, Pepco and the District Department of Transportation last September. As a result of complaints from Barnaby Woods residents, a 90-day citywide stop-work order was issued against Pepco.

During this time Task Force members appealed to the District to verify the condition of 13 trees in Barnaby Woods, which had been slated for removal by Pepco. “After an investigation, DDOT decided five of the trees should be saved,” Katzmann said.

For further information on the Barnaby Tree Task Force go to www.barnabywoods.org.

One Response to “Barnaby Woods Tree Trimming Controversy Continues - DC North, Febuary 2005”

1. Michael Katzmann, on February 21st, 2005 at 6:29 pm, said:
   

   Of course that URL should read http://www.barnabywoods.org:8080

Both comments and pings are currently closed.