HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-17-24 Public Comment - L. Schulz - UDC UpdateFrom:Lara Schulz
To:Bozeman Public Comment
Cc:Christopher Mcqueary
Subject:[EXTERNAL]UDC Update
Date:Tuesday, September 17, 2024 9:22:05 AM
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As the City of Bozeman approaches updates to the Unified Development Code, it isimperative that the urgent topic of environment protection be front and center in the
discussion. The wind event that occurred in Missoula was a naturally occurring event, no doubt super-
charged by climate change, but nevertheless was devastating to Missoula's urban forest. I oftenwonder what such an event would do to Bozeman's landscape.
In Bozeman, imagine if development and developers go unchecked, our
environment protection codes are not enforced (as is currently the case), and there is littleregard for existing ecosystem services like urban forest, native vegetation, mature trees and
topsoil. Our UDC codes are not being enforced and we are creating our own, human-causedwind-event and it stands to devastate one of our most treasured and valuable assets--our trees
and urban forest. Canyon Gate is one of the most stark examples of how such an event canstrip the landscape of ecosystem services with just a few pieces of equipment, in just a few
hours time. Decades of growth and habitat to hundreds of species are lost.
Trees are the only city infrastructure that increases in economic, ecological and social value
over time. Trees are one of the most powerful ways to sequester carbon and combat
climate change while also providing shade, wind buffers and other amenities that
reduce the need for cooling and heating of homes and buildings.
By honoring and protecting our trees and urban forest, Bozemanites have everything
to gain and nothing to lose.
Please strengthen the UDC to reflect Bozeman's commitment to its natural resourcesand climate change resiliency.
Thank you for your dedication to our beautiful town.
Lara Schulz and Chris McQueary3306 S 29th Ave
Bozeman MT 59718