Backlash over Infrastructure Minister Aaron Farrugias reasoning why 30 trees near Fgura needed to be removed has seen his Facebook page flooded with images from the scene with many questioning whether the action really was justified when you actually look at it.

The story, revealed by Lovin Malta on Friday, saw Climate Campaign Coordinator for Friends of the Earth Suzanne Maas raising the alarm after reporting the scene in Vjal il-Kottoner, a road between abbar and Fgura.

Infrastructure Malta told Lovin Malta the trees were removed as they were either invasive, damaged, or dead trees, all covered by necessary permits, if/when required; Farrugia himself said he had been given advice from a botanical expert for the trees to be removed, noting 90 saplings would be replacing the 30 mature trees.

Taking to social media, Farrugia posted an image of the story emblazoned with a big red FAKE.

Lovin Malta published this story implying we butchered trees for no reason. Typical spin, he said.

However, many among the 233 comments under his post at time of publishing just werent buying it.

All of the trees were dead? asked one man, sharing a before pic of the road.

There may have been one or two, but surely not all. Dead trees arent covered in leaves. Thanks for destroying another road. Whats the value in planting the small ones when you chop down the big ones? We need accountability.

I was born where the invasive trees are and they are older than you (or were, before you butchered them). That tree was born before you, and it isnt true that it was sick, Minister, said another, sharing a photo of the trunk of the freshly chopped mature tree.

You could have at least tried removing it and replanting it nsomma erajt waqajt ga ajt gax kulladd gandu gajnejh fwiu

The comments kept coming in.

Dead and theyre still green Minister? So what colour is alive then red? Prosit ministru.

Those trees have been there since Dom Mintoffs time.

Are you mad, or just living on the moon? Xmejtin l-Alla.

Minister, who is this botanical expert you spoke to?

Minister, you are invasive, not the trees that have been there for 50 years. Youve invaded a nation with amateurism and mediocrity, typical of young ministers who went from the kain tar-raal to a seat of power.

If this is a what a dead tree looks like, what does a live tree look like?

Malta Ranger Units Cami Appelgren also entered the comments section, with advice for Farrugia and asking for the process over why the trees were removed to be made public and more transparent.

Just a suggestion when large trees are scheduled to be removed (which will ALWAYS be followed by public outcry), why isnt the department responsible putting such info up for everyone to see BEFOREHAND? It would save you a lot of headache. And bluntly, I think the public has the right to such info

And even with ERA permit, doesnt always make it right Can the discussion about these trees removal be made public to see what the full reasoning was?

On the ERA permit on Friday, when the story broke, Friends Of The Earths Suzanne Maas told Lovin Malta that the activist group was unable to find a permit when searching for it online.

Who in todays age of climate crisis and air pollution can think it is right to remove mature trees? Furthermore, we cannot find a relevant permit online nor on-site by the authority commissioning the works, Infrastructure Malta.

And when Lovin Malta checked on Friday as well, no permit was found.

However, on Saturday, a permit appeared online, admitting the works targeting protected trees.

Independent politician Arnold Cassola did not mince words across two posts he made on the matter on his Facebook page.

Aaron Farrugia: who is the liar?

Farrugia tells us we are all stupid idiots. It is not true that mature trees have been chopped down between abbar and Fgura. Aaron Farrugia tells us that if we saw this, it is because we are all stupid. Unlike the illuminated ministru/minestru.

Lovin Malta obtained the letter advising Farrugia to remove the trees from Horticultural Consultant Peter Calleja.

And you can take a scroll for yourself through Farrugias comment section below.

Read the original story below.

Do you think Maltas infrastructure planning has hit rock bottom?

Read the original here:
'Gajjejtuna': Residents Flood Aaron Farrugia's Page With Pics Of ... - Lovin Malta

Aug. 14, 2022Updated: Aug. 14, 2022 11:52a.m.

Authorities are investigating the death of a tree removal employee in Halfmoon.

HALFMOON Authorities are investigating the death of a tree removal employee in Halfmoon.

The Saratoga County Sheriff's Office provided no details about the fatality, including the location of the incident on Thursday or what company the person worked for, but confirmed that a 38-year-old male died.

Foul play doesnt appear to be a factor and the investigation is ongoing, police said in a release on Friday.

The identity of the employee is being withheld pending notification of the next of kin, deputies said.

Pete DeMola is a breaking news and current trends reporter. He also covers the city of Schenectady and its suburbs. He previously reported for the Daily Gazette and Sun Community News in the Adirondacks where he won multiple awards for his investigative reporting. DeMola also spent a half-decade in Beijing where he covered pop culture for several publications and social media companies. He also worked for a record label. He's a 2005 graduate of Syracuse University. You can reach him at pete.demola@timesunion.com.

See the original post here:
Deputies investigating death of tree removal worker in Halfmoon - Times Union

August 17, 2022

Groundbreaking for the regions largest urban ground solar array, located on Catholic Universitys West Campus, will start on Aug. 22.

The ground-mounted solar array, being installed on the west side of Harewood Rd., across from Leahy Hall, will greatly contribute to the Universitys commitment to environmental sustainability and make a significant contribution to the District of Columbias goal of 100% renewable energy by 2032 and carbon neutrality by 2050. Permitted tree removal will take up to four weeks, but will not affect heritage trees on the site or the existing Casey Trees tree nursery.

The solar array, which is being developed with Standard Solar, will save an estimated 7.115 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions per year. This is the equivalent of removing 1,547 cars from roads annually or eliminating the carbon dioxide emissions from nearly 800,630 gallons of gasoline, according to the EPA Greenhouse Gas Equivalencies Calculator.

"The new solar installation reaffirms the Universitys renewable energy leadership. By caring for our common home, this new opportunity allows our neighbors to share clean energy benefits," said Alexandra Harry Nappier, director of campus sustainability for the University.

The University has arranged for many of the trees being removed to be salvaged by the District of Columbia's Urban Forestry Division. The logs will be milled into items such as benches and stump seating that then will be donated to local schools and parks. Wood byproducts will go to the University of the District of Columbias Center for Urban Agriculture and higher quality wood will be milled into lumber and donated to schools and nonprofits.

The University will use wood chips from the trees at the Community Garden behind Curley Hall and within the preserved forests on the west campus to help suppress invasive species and improve the habitat. Casey Trees will also use the chips for its Community Tree Planting program.

Harvesting and repurposing these trees locally lessens the waste and cost of disposal and helps reduce the city's reliance on lumber transported from elsewhere, reducing emissions and supporting our local communities, said Greg Osband, the Universitys program manager for landscape architecture.

The next step after tree removal is grading and installation of bioretention facilities for stormwater management. This will take place over three months this fall. Once the site is prepared, installation of the solar racks is scheduled to begin at the start of 2023. The array, which will be surrounded by a perimeter screen of trees and pollinator habitat plantings, is expected to open in late summer 2023.

The array is one of many initiatives focused on environmental stewardship. Also this year, the University, a certified Tree Campus for Higher Education, undertook a tree survey and is developing a plan for ongoing management of all trees on campus.

In September the University will submit its Laudato Si Action Plan to the Vatican. Catholic University was one of the first universities in the world to sign onto this Vatican initiative to encourage care for creation globally.

See the article here:
University Breaks Ground on West Campus Solar Array - Catholic University Communications

Montoursville, Pa. Work has officially started on the planned renovations for the TWA Flight 800 Memorial.

The Flight 800 Memorial was erected in 1999. It is meant to honor the 16 Montoursville High School Students and five chaperones that lost their lives on a trip to Paris in the 1996 crash which killed all 230 passengers.

Workers removing the hemlock trees from Flight 800 Memorial in Montoursville

The first step commenced on the morning of August 16 with the removal of hemlock trees, which Mayor Steven Bagwell said have become diseased.

They were removed by Dincher and Dincher at no cost to the memorial fund.

The hemlock's will be replaced byEmerald Green arborvitae.

This is just the first step, with more to come next month, according to Bagwell. A walkway, which Bagwell said has becoming a tripping hazard, will be removed.

Wood chipper at work.

The current brick walkway will be replaced by paving stones that Bagwell said are easier to maintain.

Overall donations have reached over $87,000 of the $125,000 for the planned initial renovations.

Bagwell said that this is enough to complete the renovations on the most glaring issues, but they still need more to do further beautification, like replacing the mulch witha pachysandra groundcover, and to setup an ongoing care fund.

"I feel very fortunate to be a part of this project,"Dale Ulmer, chair of the renovation committee, said. "The renovation committee has been making great progress. This progress is a reflection of the hardworking group of committee members."

Donations are only being accepted through check and can be sent to theMontoursville Area School District Memorial Fund at 50 N Arch St. Montoursville, PA.

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Diseased tree removal marks first renovation on Flight 800 Memorial - NorthcentralPa.com

An oak tree that is more than 100 years old at the McCalla Center at the northeast corner of Central and Schaefer avenues is being proposed for removal because an arborist said it is infested with beetles and wood-boring pests.

The recommendation for removing the tree and planting two replacement trees will be considered by the Chino Planning Commission at 7 p.m. on Monday in council chambers, 13220 Central Ave.

The tree is located in a field near Central Avenue, west of Subway, which has caused constraints for applicants who want to develop that portion of the center.

The McCalla Center site encompasses 12 buildings totaling 137,430 square-feet, including Subway, Mercury Insurance, JoJo Nail Salon, and several other businesses.

City Planner Warren Morelion said all of the McCalla Center has been developed except for the vacant site where the tree is located.

Some buildings in the McCalla Center are under construction and close to completion, including industrial buildings on the northeast side of the center and a commercial building nearest to Central Avenue, he said.

Over the years, arborists have recommended different measures to protect the trees health, Mr. Morelion said.

Its not getting any better and the pests have a potential to spread further, he said. The tree is one of two oaks that grew at the site, but in 2011 the commission voted to remove one of the trees after deciding it was beyond saving. Since then, the remaining oak tree has been cared for, but arborists dont believe it can survive, according to a staff report.

The tree removal is one of three items to be discussed at the Planning Commission meeting. See Page B1.

Written comments may be submitted to planning@cityofchino.org and will be accepted by the Development Services Department through 5:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 15 or at the hearing.

Read the original:
Commission to weigh in on removal of dying oak tree - Chino Champion

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) - Crews around the state are beginning to clear roads and private properties of trees damaged in Septembers wildfires.

The tree-clearing is part of the Oregon Wildfire Recovery Debris Management Task Forces effort to provide cleanup for homes and businesses in the eight affected counties Clackamas, Douglas, Jackson, Klamath, Lane, Lincoln, Linn and Marion.

The work paves the way for rebuilding efforts, community recovery and helps revitalize Oregons economy, the state Office of Emergency Management said in a news release Thursday, which continues in full below:

Before crews begin clearing hazard trees from private property, they will clear remaining logs and debris from roadsides. Drivers in fire-affected areas should keep an eye out for crews and be prepared to stop.

State contractors are marking trees for removal with blue dot and a barcode tracking tag. Many other entities, including utilities and private companies, continue with their own tree removal operations and have their own markings.

On private property, dead or dying trees will be removed if they pose a threat to the safety of cleanup crew or public right of ways. Ash and structural debris removal will soon follow, including concrete and other household and construction materials, from private homes and businesses. A list of what is included in cleanup isavailable.

Hazard trees and ash and debris cleanup are the focus of Step 2 of the cleanup, and includes homes, mobile home parks, second homes, businesses and other structures. Step 1 involved removal of hazardous household waste and was completed in December.

Home and business owners must sign an All Wildfire Debris Right of Entry Form with their county to allow cleanup crews onto their property. Visithttps://wildfire.oregon.gov/or call 503-934-1700 to submit your form and for more information. Even those who did not join in Step 1 of the cleanup may still opt into the program.

Participating property owners also need to complete a questionnaire about their property, to help with planning and ensure an efficient, safe removal of debris.

The contractors

As the task forces contract manager, the Oregon Department of Transportation is awarding three types of contracts for Step 2: hazard tree removal, debris and ash removal, and monitoring.

Given the large geographic area and volume of work, ODOT awarded the hazard tree, and ash and debris removal contracts over multiple operational areas and not as a single statewide contract.

A separate company is monitoring the cleanup work, environmental testing, and document completion of Step 2, property by property. The Federal Emergency Management Agency requires an independent company to perform monitoring work. This firm will monitor contractors removing hazard trees, ash, and debris to ensure cleanup and safety protocols and proper accounting. FEMA requires monitoring to control costs, reduce waste, and help eliminate fraud.

ODOT has awarded the following contracts:

Monitoring (1)

CDR Maguire Emergency Management

Hazard Tree Removal (3)

Ceres Disaster Recovery Disaster Recovery Ceres Environmental

ECC https://www.ecc.net/ecc/

Suulutaaq Inc. suulutaq.com

A video describing the OR 126 Holiday Farm Fire hazard tree removal work isavailable.

Ash and debris removal contracts have been awarded and that work also begins later this month.

Oregons 2020 Labor Day fires constitute the largest and most expensive disaster in our states history, burning over 1 million acres and destroying over 5,000 structures.

Initial estimates put the debris cleanup from the September 2020 Oregon wildfires at over $600 million, including $326 million for ash and debris removal and $295 million to remove hazard trees.

More information

Wildfire cleanup webpage:https://wildfire.oregon.gov/cleanupWildfire debris cleanup hotline:503-934-1700 odot.wildfire@odot.state.or.usHighway travel conditions:TripCheck.com

Oregons Debris Management Task Force, which includes the Oregon Office of Emergency Management, Oregon Department of Transportation, and Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, is coordinating federal, state, and local government agencies to clean up debris from the 2020 Oregon wildfires.

Read the rest here:
Oregon's wildfire recovery debris removal begins with clearing of hazard trees - KTVZ

Crews around the state are beginning to clear roads and private properties of trees damaged in Septembers wildfires.

The tree clearing is part of the Oregon Wildfire Recovery Debris Management Task Forces effort to provide cleanup for homes and businesses in the eight affected counties Clackamas, Douglas, Jackson, Klamath, Lane, Lincoln, Linn and Marion. The work paves the way for rebuilding efforts, community recovery and helps revitalize Oregons economy.

Before crews begin clearing hazard trees from private property, they will clear remaining logs and debris from roadsides. Drivers in fire-affected areas should keep an eye out for crews and be prepared to stop.

State contractors are marking trees for removal with blue dot and a barcode tracking tag. Many other entities, including utilities and private companies, continue with their own tree removal operations and have their own markings.

On private property, dead or dying trees will be removed if they pose a threat to the safety of cleanup crew or public right of ways. Ash and structural debris removal will soon follow, including concrete and other household and construction materials, from private homes and businesses. A list of what is included in cleanup is available.

Hazard trees and ash and debris cleanup are the focus of Step 2 of the cleanup, and includes homes, mobile home parks, second homes, businesses and other structures. Step 1 involved removal of hazardous household waste and was completed in December.

Home and business owners must sign an All Wildfire Debris Right of Entry Form with their county to allow cleanup crews onto their property. Visit https://wildfire.oregon.gov/ or call 503-934-1700 to submit your form and for more information. Even those who did not join in Step 1 of the cleanup may still opt into the program.

Participating property owners also need to complete a questionnaire about their property, to help with planning and ensure an efficient, safe removal of debris.

As the task forces contract manager, the Oregon Department of Transportation is awarding three types of contracts for Step 2: hazard tree removal, debris and ash removal, and monitoring.

Given the large geographic area and volume of work, ODOT awarded the hazard tree, and ash and debris removal contracts over multiple operational areas and not as a single statewide contract.

A separate company is monitoring the cleanup work, environmental testing, and document completion of Step 2 property by property. The Federal Emergency Management Agency requires an independent company to perform monitoring work. This firm will monitor contractors removing hazard trees, ash, and debris to ensure cleanup and safety protocols and proper accounting. FEMA requires monitoring to control costs, reduce waste, and help eliminate fraud.

ODOT has awarded the following contracts:

CDR Maguire Emergency Management

Ceres Disaster Recovery Disaster Recovery Ceres Environmental

Contracts awarded Nov. 25, 2020

Archie Creek Fire, OR 138, $25.78 million

Thielson Fire, OR 138, $2.07 million

Two Four Two Fire, U.S. 97, $1.91 million

Contracts awarded: Nov. 30, 2020

Beachie Creek / Lionshead Fire, OR 22, $17.18 million

Riverside Fire, OR 224, $71.63 million

Based in Alaska, with an operations office in Eugene

Contract awarded Nov. 30, 2020

Holiday Farm Fire, OR 126, $22.94 million

A video describing the OR 126 Holiday Farm Fire hazard tree removal work is available.

Ash and debris removal contracts have been awarded and that work also begins later this month.

Oregons 2020 Labor Day fires constitute the largest and most expensive disaster in our states history, burning over 1 million acres and destroying over 5,000 structures.

Initial estimates put the debris cleanup from the September 2020 Oregon wildfires at over $600 million, including $326 million for ash and debris removal and $295 million to remove hazard trees.

View post:
Oregon wildfire recovery debris removal begins with hazard trees - The News Guard

PARADISE, Calif. -Action News Now continues to provide the latest updates on recovery and rebuilding in the Town of Paradise. Below this article is a full preview of the Town's goals for 2021.

PREVIEW OF 2021

As the community embarks on our third year of recovery after the Camp Fire, the Town of Paradise is excitedto share some project milestones they anticipate in 2021.

Removing Hazardous Trees Removing barriers to rebuilding: The GovernmentTree Program is currently removing about 200-250 hazardous trees per day. The town expectsthis program to be completed in the first quarter of 2021. The Town of Paradise hasapplied for additional Federal funding to remove the remaining hazardous trees onprivate property that were not eligible for the government program. If we receive thefunding, the Town will start removing those additional trees later this year.

Reseeding Program Plan Recreating beauty on the Ridge: The next step afterremoving hazardous trees damaged by the Camp Fire is to re-plant and re-seed thecommunity. The Town received a grant for this purpose and will be welcomingproposals in early 2021 from contractors to evaluate and establish the next steps forreseeding after tree removal and educating the community on vegetation opportunities.Once a contractor has been established, we anticipate community input and educationopportunities throughout 2021. Upon completion of the plan, the Town will seek fundingto implement a re-seeding program in 2022-2024.

Sewer Economic recovery and opportunity: With the Councils approval of the RegionalSewer Connection to the City of Chico late last year, the Town has begun theEnvironmental Review Process for the Sewer Project. The project would install a sewerin the primarily commercial areas of Skyway, Pearson and Clark. The Environmentalprocess is expected to take about 18 months, then we will move on to design andconstruction in about 3-5 years. A sewer for the primarily commercial areas of Paradiseis important for the recovery of our businesses and economy. For more information onthis important project, visit http://www.paradisesewer.com.

Early Warning System Safety for residents in an emergency: The safety of the town'sresidents continues to be a top priority. With the Early Warning System plancompleted and approved last fall, the Town is submitting a grant application forconstruction funding. Pending approval, construction is estimated to begin in 2021.

Broadband Services Increased access for businesses and residents:The town says itanticipates our Broadband Feasibility Study to be completed and presented in early 2021.This will answer questions about the possibilities we have for a broadband community and what implementation would look like. In the coming years, the town says it will have a focus onestablishing implementation opportunities.

Roads Prioritizing road improvements: In 2021 The Town will be working on its Transportation Master Plan, funded by the Economic Development Administration (EDA)last year. This study will conduct a holistic analysis of the Paradise transportationnetwork and will outline critical gaps in infrastructure, conflicts, pinch points and otherbarriers to potential future evacuation events. Using this information, the study willidentify priorities and a plan for town-wide safety and circulation improvements.

Original post:
Paradise Rebuilding and Recovery: Preview into 2021 - Action News Now

PARADISE, Calif. -Some people in Paradise are frustrated over the way tree removal is being handled.

"We are being burdened again, those of us that are victims in the fire are being burdened again by more government ineptness," said Steve Culleton.

Steve Culleton is a Camp Fire survivor who says because trees weren't removed quickly, they are now getting snapped from the wind... and then says those trees are not going to be removed.

"FEMA allotted the money to do this, they had an estimated 300,000 trees, and now they have paired down to 100,000 or 75,000 or whatever it is. They have already allocated the money," said Culleton.

The frustration is about the trees that have blue dots on them and are snapped halfway down.

Because the weather has already broken them, there is no guarantee they will be removed, even though they were marked in the original tree removal program.

"Before we have a chance to remove it and it has come down by weather, it needs to be assessed to see if it is still a threat to the public right of way. If it is still a threat it will be removed," said Jim Kyle from Cal OES.

"That is my point, you allocated the money, it is not about some budget thing. You identified the trees, you mapped them, you had arborists certify they are dead. You tagged them, you marked them they are ready to go, your program got delayed, so now it is winter time and now we have winds and wet dirt, and some of them are falling over. You still have to haul it off, why would you put it on the homeowner," said Culleton.

"It stands the most threat while it is still standing, and coming down. If it is already down it is a new story, we have to see if it is still a threat or not," said Kyle.

Culleton added during the tree removal process, the stump is still left and the homeowner has to deal with it.

Link:
Frustrations over tree removal program in Paradise - Action News Now

January 13, 2021

This week, the Community Development Department approved the removal of the existing trees located within the two surface parking lots north and south of Colby Circle. Street trees along the easterly portion of Colby Circle and along Indian Hill Boulevard (north and south of Colby Circle) are also being removed, and will be replaced as part of the new project landscaping. The existing Coast Live Oak tree located at the north knuckle of Colby Circle will be retained.

Tree removal is the first step in the demolition of the parking lots to allow the grading and construction of the 96-unit Colby Townhomes. The project was originally approved under the Old School House/Claremont Inn Specific Plan in 2006, and the project design was approved by the Architectural Commission in 2008, with several revisions approved in 2019.

The developer of the project, Intracorp Homes, will begin tree removal activities on Thursday, January 14, 2021.

Read the original post:
Removal Of Trees At The Colby Townhomes Site - Patch.com