Anonymous
The City began a work effort to clear specific areas of understory vegetation within the southerly Open Space Area (bounded by Santa Barbara Shores Drive and Newport Drive) and remove one fallen dead tree located in the creek bottom adjacent to Santa Barbara Shores Park.
Due to an unanticipated volume of vegetation removal, this work effort will be extended to the middle of next week, weather permitting. During this time, portions of the trail will be closed to allow work to be completed. For safety purposes, residents will not be allowed near the work area. A pre-work survey has been conducted to ensure the work will not disturb various types of biological resources.
Source: City of Goleta
The City will be working to clear specific areas of understory vegetation within the southerly Open Space Area (bounded by Santa Barbara Shores Drive and Newport Drive) and remove one fallen dead tree located in the creek bottom adjacent to Santa Barbara Shores Park. A map of the area is included with this Notice. Removal of the understory and dead tree will ultimately improve the health of the vegetation in the area as well as increase public safety by reducing wildfire risk.
Work is anticipated to take place Monday, September 9 through Friday, September 13, 2019, weather permitting. During this time, portions of the trail will be closed to allow work to be completed. For safety purposes, residents will not be allowed near the work area. A pre-work survey will be conducted on September 6 to ensure the work will not disturb various types of biological resources.
Too bad about removing the fallen tree. Dead wood provides a lot of habitat. The decaying wood provides food for birds, insects and also fertilizes the soil. I wish our open space “maintenance” would be more forgiving and less ruthless. Removal of one fallen tree will “reduce wildfire risk?”
Since the tree is in the creek bottom it could stop the flow of water and cause overflow flooding. Leaves (on a dead tree) most certainly have dried and could be fire fuel.