El Dorado County to address dead trees

Drought conditions and resulting bark beetle infestations have caused pervasive tree mortality across the Central and Southern Sierra Nevada Mountains. It is estimated that there are over 29 million dead trees and this number continues to grow on a daily basis. El Dorado County is not immune to this epidemic as there are thousands of dead and dying trees threatening public safety and infrastructure.

The Board of Supervisors today adopted a Tree Mortality Hazard Tree Removal Plan, which was developed with collective input from representatives from numerous local agencies including: CAL Fire, the El Dorado County Fire Safe Council, El Dorado Fire Chiefs Association, PG&E, Caltrans, and several County departments. The plan will help the County with removal of hazard trees that threaten public infrastructure.

They are going to pay for the projects by applying to California Disaster Assistance Act (CDAA) funds and having a plan is a requirement to be eligible.

The emergency funding is only available for counties, cities and special districts for the removal of hazard trees that threaten public infrastructure (e.g. county roads, county buildings, etc.). There is a need for private landholders to address dead trees, but this grant cannot be used for those purposes so El Dorado County is working with different government organizations to see where they might be able to find funding.

The County has set up a website with more information about the issue, information from state agencies and locations to obtain contact information from technical specialists that could help individuals if they have a tree mortality problem. Visit the website at the following address: www.edcgov.us/Living/Tree_Mortality.aspx