Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Urban Forest And Biodiversity topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commission adopts biodiversity goals as staff outline EveryTreeSF census and July 1 implementation of Prop E
Summary
Commissioners heard results of the EveryTreeSF street‑tree census (124,795 street trees), a Prop E implementation plan (city takes on street‑tree maintenance July 1; $19M annual set‑aside; hiring ~52 staff), and voted to adopt a citywide biodiversity resolution with amendments adding marine/wetland language and guidance on climate‑appropriate non‑invasive plants.
The Commission spent the largest portion of the meeting on urban forestry and a citywide biodiversity resolution.
EveryTreeSF and census results: Dan Flanagan and urban forestry staff described Phase 1 of the Urban Forest Plan and the first comprehensive street‑tree census. Presenters said the census identified 124,795 street trees citywide, recorded species, trunk diameter (DBH) and health rankings, and mapped planting opportunities and vacant basins. Staff emphasized species diversity (no single species exceeds 10% of stock) and the public online map (urbanforestmap.org) as tools to prioritize planting and maintenance.
Proposition E implementation: Carla Short of Public Works detailed operational plans to implement Proposition E (approved by voters Nov. 2016) that transfers maintenance responsibility for street trees and adjacent sidewalks from property owners to the City effective July 1. Short said the program is funded by a $19,000,000 annual general‑fund set‑aside, will aim for a 3–5‑year pruning cycle, expects to hire about 52 new positions, purchase specialized equipment with long lead times, and initially contract out work while building in‑house capacity. The program will prioritize "worst first" (priority 1 pruning/removal), overlay sidewalk damage with pedestrian and vulnerable‑population maps (senior facilities, schools, bus stops) and include an opt‑out process for property owners who wish to continue to maintain trees under city standards.
Biodiversity resolution and vote: Peter Brasthouse and Lisa Fisher presented a draft resolution (filed 2017‑04‑COE) to consolidate citywide biodiversity goals and departmental strategies (training, guidelines, partnerships). Public comment included requests to prioritize highly invasive species for eradication, to ban or strongly limit systemic neonicotinoid pesticides used on nursery stock, to include marine and wetland ecosystems, and for staff to quantify carbon impacts of tree removal and soil disturbance. Commissioners debated language about native vs non‑native plants; after discussion Commissioners agreed on two amendments to add marine/wetland ecosystems and to specify "native and non‑native, non‑invasive, climate‑appropriate plants." Commissioner Wald moved approval with the amendments; the Commission approved the resolution by voice vote (ayes recorded) and the motion carried.
Follow‑up: Commissioners requested staff to work with the department's climate program manager to prepare analysis on carbon sequestration impacts from tree removal and to return findings to a policy committee meeting. Staff also noted the resolution is intended as an interagency convening and implementation document, not as a directive authorizing tree removal.
