Back in February we toldyou about UCSF's reforestation plans for a large swath of the Mount Sutro Open Space Reserve.
Despite rumors that construction wouldn't start for another year, UCSF started felling trees two days ago to address "urgent fire safety and emergency concerns." Here's what's going on.
According to a letter that went out to neighbors, UCSF began construction because the SFFD determined that they needed 100' of defensible space around buildings and structures due to extreme fire hazard conditions. To this end, they're removing trees lest than 6" in diameter, other hazardous trees, as well as shrubbery and other plants. All told, it will be about 15 acres of space. Since it's emergency work, it's exempt from an environmental impact report. This work is separate from the proposed reforestation we reported on back in February, which has opponents nervous that UCSF is circumventing the EIR certification that was pending. Critics also say that, despite support from the SFFD, cutting back the edges of the forest will dry out the perimeter, making the forest more prone to fires. We wanted to let you know that if you're against UCSF's actions, there will be a peaceful protest tomorrow, 8/29, from 11-1, at UCSF, Milberry Union. Here's a flyer, and you can go to sutroforest.com to read more about what's going on.
According to a letter that went out to neighbors, UCSF began construction because the SFFD determined that they needed 100' of defensible space around buildings and structures due to extreme fire hazard conditions. To this end, they're removing trees lest than 6" in diameter, other hazardous trees, as well as shrubbery and other plants. All told, it will be about 15 acres of space. Since it's emergency work, it's exempt from an environmental impact report. This work is separate from the proposed reforestation we reported on back in February, which has opponents nervous that UCSF is circumventing the EIR certification that was pending. Critics also say that, despite support from the SFFD, cutting back the edges of the forest will dry out the perimeter, making the forest more prone to fires. We wanted to let you know that if you're against UCSF's actions, there will be a peaceful protest tomorrow, 8/29, from 11-1, at UCSF, Milberry Union. Here's a flyer, and you can go to sutroforest.com to read more about what's going on.
