Street Tree Storm Recovery
UPDATED - 10/1/22
STREET TREES, STUMP GRINDING, REPLACEMENT AND NEXT STEPS
Storm recovery and replanting have been a regular topic of staff and Council discussion since the historic 2021 ice storm, when approximately one-third of the City's street tree canopy (1,600 trees) was sadly lost. As indicated in the City's current code, maintenance, trimming, and replanting of street trees is the responsibility of the adjacent property owner. This is typical in the Portland metro area and is effective in keeping taxes and fees low. Property owners wanting to grind stumps or replant trees damaged by the storm are able to do that now under current City code via the standard City process outlined at the below at the cost of the homeowner.
Due to the large impact of the ice storm, both staff and Council agreed that a coordinated approach to restoration and funding needed to be explored. City Council discussed this topic in depth at their September 20, 2021 meeting as part of a discussion on unfunded capital needs of the City. The City spent approximately $1,600,000 in storm recovery costs, and is working towards getting FEMA reimbursement for as much of this as possible. Replacement of the approximately 1,600 street trees, along with stump grinding, is unbudgeted and estimated at an additional $2,000,000, but is not eligible for FEMA reimbursement.
In September 2021 Council provided direction to survey residents to determine which unfunded City capital needs are most important to the public and evaluate any budgetary options available to fund them. A statistically valid survey was completed and Council subsequently decided to spend a portion of the City's federal infrastructure funding towards a free street tree replanting program in 2022, comprised of 250 available trees. Applicants for the Program quickly outpaced available trees to be sourced and a waitlist is currently being kept in anticipation of Council funding for 2023. Read more on the 2022 Street Tree Replanting Program here.
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Street Tree/Stump Removal or Replacement Permits:
Property owners can choose to apply to remove a street tree or grind a street tree stump from the public right of way in front of their home at any time. Current City code places responsibility for maintenance and replacement of street trees with the adjacent property owner. Information can be found at the links below:
- Tree Removal Permit: https://westlinnoregon.gov/parksrec/tree-removal-permit
- Street Tree replacement Form: https://westlinnoregon.gov/parksrec/street-tree-replacement
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