<The following letter was addressed to Rye City Manager Greg Usry and forwarded to the paper by the author for publication.>
I live on Hill Street.
On September 22 and 23 at least nine trees were removed from two adjoining properties being developed on Ormond Place and Hayward Place. The properties are on the top of a hill. Their removal will impact the surrounding neighborhood and those living below the hill. I checked the town regulations for tree removal policy. I could not find anything other than the need for a tree removal permit from the DPW in the historic district and for property owners applying for subdivision. The City Code also notes that tree removal should be addressed to the “City Naturalist” who seems to be non-existent. Can you clarify Rye’s policy of tree removal and replacement?
My point is that in this time of climate change and serious flooding, it is time to do something to help stop the destruction of our environment. Trees prevent flooding and are cooling in the heat of the summer. The connection is so obvious.
I am a landscape designer. I work in other communities which have stringent tree removal and tree replacement policies. On construction jobs requiring permits, any trees removed must be replaced with trees on their list of recommended trees (usually native and of a specified caliper) before they can get a Certificate of Occupancy. This may be a “nuisance”, but I think the time has come for us to do something similar
I would appreciate your attention to this.
- Mary-Liz Campbell
