SEAL BEACH : Board Seeks Policy for Trees in City

Members of the city’s Environmental Quality Control Board are pushing for formation of a citywide tree policy that will help Seal Beach maintain a healthy population of trees on public property.

“The board is concerned because we see the city losing trees, and we are not sure that everybody has the same idea about what we should do about preserving and replacing trees,” said William Hurley, a member of the board.

Hurley added that keeping a healthy population of trees not only makes a city look more attractive but also helps the environment.

According to city documents, the Public Works Department removed 20 trees last year and replaced or planted 50. Officials said the replacements were paid for by residents, usually those who live next to the public property where the tree was removed. Officials added that it may appear as if the city has lost trees because in most cases mature trees are replaced with seedlings.

The policy proposed by the board would basically “codify removal of public trees . . . and gives the Public Works Department something to back them up in their decisions,” said Barry Curtis, administrative assistant for community development. The policy could also stipulate penalties for residents who remove trees from public property.

Officials are not sure how far the policy will go in dealing with trees on private property, since the city’s jurisdiction is restricted there.

The environmental quality board will begin holding public hearings on the proposed policy Aug. 18 in the City Council chambers.