HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-01-25 Public Comment - M. Bateson - 24606 Preserve Trees PleaseFrom:Mary Bateson
To:Bozeman Public Comment
Subject:[EXTERNAL]24606 Preserve Trees Please
Date:Monday, March 31, 2025 9:32:30 PM
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you
recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
Date: March 31, 2025
Re: Application 24606
To whom it may concern: I would like to request that the Urban Parks and Forestry Board and
the City Commission review the decision concerning Application 24606. There is still time to
save these boulevard trees!
The Senior Planner for the City of Bozeman Department of Community Development wrote a
letter of approval to Application 24606, which will allow the HomeBase Partners to remove
large boulevard trees in front of the building site on Lamme St., and change the format of this
boulevard to storefront block frontage (ie. more cement). After reading this approval letter,
which I most strenuously disagree with, I read Bozeman’s Urban Forestry Management Plan,
and the Emerald Ash Borer Course of Action Plan, and I am surprised that the Department of
Community Development would agree to allow this destruction of these large ash trees. I
would like to thank the Forestry Division for the work they have done to provide a healthy,
safe, and aesthetically pleasing community forest in Bozeman. I only wish that HomeBase
Partners shared their vision, and could see that these trees would be an asset to their plans,
not a detriment.
Here are direct quotes from Forestry Division documents, which indicate the value of
preservation of our large trees:
From the Urban Forestry Management Plan
p.9 The urban forest must be thought of as an essential component of Bozeman’s
infrastructure and must be included in the planning of Bozeman’s growth and
development.
p. 19 When an older tree is removed, there is a significant loss of benefits, as a large tree
provides three to eight times the benefits that a small tree provides (Rogers, 2011).
p.20 A large tree with a broad-leaved canopy offers more benefits over time. These trees
can reach heights of 60 feet and life spans of 100 years, and planting should be
encouraged where root and canopy space is adequate.
p.21 …updating ordinances for new developments to have a plan to achieve a 33% canopy
cover in 15 years will help address the goal of increasing canopy cover. The second way to
increase canopy cover is to protect the trees already in the ground so they can thrive.
p.22 Recommendations: -Educate public as to the value of mature shade trees. -
Implement tree protection strategies, such as requiring site plans for building permits and
enact measures to prevent or minimize damage. -Maximize the amount of “plantable”
space in new developments.
From the Bozeman Emerald Ash Borer Course of Action Plan:
p.12 …it is less expensive and tree benefits are retained by treating and saving our ash
tree population. This is because the removal cost is more than treating the trees, even
over time. Moreover, the benefits of the city’s mature trees are retained by treating every
mature ash tree that is in good condition and in an appropriate location.
p. 19 …by far the most economically beneficial approach to dealing with EAB is to preserve
as many ash trees that are 10 inches in caliper and over, in good condition, and growing in
appropriate locations. This approach will cost the least and offer the most benefits.
p.23 Urban forestry starts with community engagement and culminates in community
engagement. This is because it is the community that builds, supports, and realizes the
benefits from the urban forest. It is the community that must be informed and educated
by the City of Bozeman on ways to build a healthier urban forest and protect their own ash
trees.
p.24 In a sense, the city is partnering with the community to manage the ash tree
population. Both must manage their urban forest in concert for either one to be successful
in executing their plans.
Note: As of March 31, 2025, the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) has not been detected in Montana.
From the 24606 Approval Letter: "the Forestry Division will conduct appraisals of existing
trees based on current conditions in the summer of 2025. According to Code Provision 2 in
this approval letter, payment by the developer of this Public Tree Reimbursement value will be
due at the time of assessment. The public trees proposed to be removed may not be
removed prior to a value assessment." That is great news to me! There is still time to save
these trees!
Please consider reversing this decision!
Thank you,
Mary Bateson
N Tracy Ave.
Bozeman resident since 1981
406-586-8832