2014AnnualReport

Introduction

In2014theUrbanForestryCommissioncontinuedtoadvisetheMayorandCityCouncilonpolicies,plans,andregulationsgoverningtheprotection,management,andconservationoftreesandvegetationintheCityofSeattle.TheCommissionisaforumfordiscussiononurbanforestconcernsandmakesrecommendationstoencourageCitydecision‐makingaswerecognizetheurbanforestasacriticalpieceofSeattle’surbaninfrastructure.TheCommission’sprimaryobjectivesfor2014were: TosupportimplementationoftheUrbanForestStewardshipPlan’s UFSP goals. Toprovideadvice,feedbackandrecommendationstotheMayorandCityCouncilonspeci icpolicyactionsthatwillensurethelong‐termhealthandviabilityofSeattle’surbanforest;and

ToprovideaforumforpublicdialoguetoassisttheCommissioninitsadvisoryrole. The2014WorkPlanpriorityactionsincluded: DPD’streeprotectiononprivatepropertyordinance;

InternalengagementofCitydepartmentsoncanopygoals;

Outreachandengagement; AdvisingonCitydecisionsthatimpactthe30%canopycovergoal;and

ImprovingtransparencyorprocessandoperationsoftheCommission.

2014Accomplishments2014wasthemostproductiveyearyetwithover15advisorylettersissuedontopicsinsupportofSeattle’surbanforestrygoals.Topicsdiscussedandactedonincluded:

TreePreservationonPublicPropertyExecutiveOrder03‐05–TreeReplacementIn2005,thenMayorNickelsissuedanExecutiveOrderdirectingCitydepartmentstoreplaceeverytreeremovedfromCitypropertywithtwonewtrees.TheCommissioncommendedCitydepartmentsfordoingaverygoodjobaddressingthisrequirement;however,maturetreeremovalisoftenbeingreplacedwithsmallercanopyspecieswhich,meetingthestatedrequirementoftheTwo‐for‐Oneorder,hasanegativeeffectinouroverallcanopycover.

TheCommissionrecommendedsimplemodi icationstotheExecutiveOrdertobettersupporttheUFSP’sgoalsincluding: Treeremovalsrequiredtobereplacedwith

2:1ofmediumtolargecanopytreesatmaturity,orifsmalltreesarerequiredduetospaceconstraintsthenthereplacementshouldbe4:1

Conifersshouldbereplacedwithconifersattheappropriateratio;and

Minimumtreeplantingsizeshouldbereducedto1inchcaliper.Thissizehasseveralbene itsincludingsurvivability,easeofplacement,andeaseofhandling,adaptation,andcost.Generallythesmallercalipertreeswillgrowmorequicklyandsurpassthetreesplantedatalargersize.

RevisedUsePolicyforSeattle’sNaturalAreasandGreenbeltsSeattle’snaturalareasandgreenbeltsare

animportantelementofSeattle’sbroadercity‐wide30percentcanopycovergoalasstatedintheUrbanForestStewardshipPlan.WiththeParksDepartmentgearinguptoreviseitspermanentusepolicyforSeattle’snaturalareasandgreenbelts,theCommissionrequesteditsinvolvementonthecitizencommitteethrough‐outthepolicydevelopmentprocess.CheastyMountainBikePilotProjectTheSeattleParksBoardmadethedecisiontoincorporateamountainbiketrailpilotprojectintheCheastyGreenspaceontheeastslopeofBeaconHillinSouthSeattle.TheCommissionreceivedanumberoflettersofconcernandpubliccommentfromneighborsandotherstakeholdersandapresentationbyParks.

TheCommissionissuedalettermakingrecommendationsspeci ictothepilotproposalincludingthatanymountainbiketrailbeontheperimeterofthegreenspace;thattheinteriorhabitatareabekeptintactwithnobikeorpedestriancrosstrailsormeetingplaces;placementofawildlifepermeablefenceontheinteriorsideofthebiketrailtostopbikesfromenteringtheinteriorofthegreenspacewhileallowingwildlifetopassthrough;completionofabaselineforwildlifeandplantsbeforetrailusebeings;extendfourdatacollectionofimpactsandchangestoatleast iveyears,consistentwithsimilarregulatoryprotocols;thatanyvolunteermountainbiketrailworkbedonein

conjunctionwithcomparablerestorationworkbeingcompletedonhabitatrestorationofthegreenspace;alongtermmemorandumofunderstanding MOU bereachedwithbiketrailproponentsregardingconstructioncosts,volunteerwork,habitatrestorationefforts,andtrailmaintenance;agoalofnonetlossofhabitatshouldbestatedaspartoftheMOU;andacompetitiveobstaclecourseshouldnotbeaddedtotheproject.ThispilotprojectisstillintheearlyphasesandtheCommissionhascommittedtocontinuetotrackboththerestorationeffortandthebiketraileffort.SeattleCityLightDispositionofSurplusStationsSeattleCityLightstaffbriefedtheChaironthedispositionofpropertiesandcleanupstrategiesinearly2014.ConcernedcommunitymembersthenbroughttotheCommission’sattentiontheremovalofmaturetreesfromSeattleCityLightsurplussub‐stationpropertiesthatareinthedispositionprocess.TheCommissionreceivedabrie ingonthelegalconstraintsforpropertiesownedbyutilities.TheCommissionissuedaletterrecognizingthatprocesswasfollowedandencouragingtheCityinthefutureto indcreativewaystopreservematuretreeswhile

accommodatingotherCityprioritiesasakeystrategytoaccomplishourcanopycovergoals.TreePreservationonPrivatePropertyDPDTreeOrdinanceTheCommissioncontinuestourgetheCitytoresumeworkonlegislation

initiallyproposedduringtheCommission’s2009inauguralyeartoestablishacomprehensivesetof

regulationsandincentivestolimittheremovaloftreesandpromotetheretentionandadditionoftreesonprivateproperty.TheCommissionbelievesthelackofclearguidanceisaffectingdevelopmenttimeduetouncertaintyoftheapplicationandinterpretationofcurrentcodeanddirector’srule.SeattleTimesParkCommunitygroupswereconcernedthatwiththerecentsaleoftheSeattleTimesproperty,theopenspaceknownasSeattleTimesParkswasindangerofbeinglosttodevelopment.TheCommissionissuedaletterencouragingtheCityto indcreativewaystopreservematuretreeswhileaccommodatingcompetingusessuchasdevelopment.Theletterprovidedseveralideastopreservetheoveraquarterofanacreofcontinuouscanopyprovidedbythesite’smaturetrees.Theletteremphasizedtheimportanceofopenspaceandtreecanopyinthedowntownzonewhichhasagoalof12percentcanopycoverandiscurrentlyatabout7percent.

ACommissionmemberreadtheletteraspartofseveralcommentsattheDesignReviewBoardmeetingwhichresultedinarevisedplanthatsavedthekeytreesandmetdevelopmentinterests.

QueenAnneChildren’sHomepropertyThis2.5acreparcelhasover80maturetrees,47ofwhichareexceptional.AcommunitygroupreachedouttotheCommissionseekingguidanceandsupporttoensurethatdecisionsforthisdevelopmentaremadewithfullreviewofSeattlegoalsandpoliciesfortreesandvegetation.

TheCommissionissuedaletterrequestingabalancedreviewofdeparturesfromcodeandconsiderationsgiventheapplicant’srequesttoremoveseveralexceptionaltreesfromthesiteaswellasemphasizingtheimportanceofuseofbestmanagementpracticesfortreeprotectionduringdevelopment.Right‐of‐WayTreePreservationStreetTreeManualTheCommissionprovidedcommentsandrecommendationsaspartofSDOT’spubliccommentperiod.

Photo: mSeattle via Flickr

TheStreetTreeManualprovidescomprehensiveguidanceforresidents,developers,contractors,andarborists.

TheCommissioncommendedSDOTfordevelopinganexceptionalmanualforthemanagementofSeattle’sstreettrees.AvenueofStreetTreesTheCommissionissuedalettercommendingSDOT’seffortstoencourageplantingtreesalongSeattlestreets.TheCommissionsuggestedSDOTcreate‘streettreecorridorarboretums’alongarterialsintwotofourareasofthecity.ByplantingarowofselectedSDOTapprovedstreettreeswithidenti icationsignsthatpeoplecanread,residentswouldbeencouragedtoplantstreettreesandbetterunderstandcanopyvalue.

TreeGratesonDowntownStreetTreesTheCommissionissuedaletterrequestingimmediatefundingandactiontoretro itthetreegratesfromourdowntowntrees.TreegratesaredesignedtobecutoutasthetrunkgrowsbutthisactionrarelyoccursandSeattle’sdowntowntreesaregettingstrangled.

TheCommissionrecommendedSDOTtoputtogetheracrewtorevieweachstreettreegratedowntown,retro itgrateswithin5”oftreetrunks,andproduceatreegrateinventoryanddatabaseforfutureproactiveandscheduledmaintenance.TheCommissionisawarethatmanyofthesedowntowntreesaretechnicallytheresponsibilityoftheadjacentpropertyowner,butbelievethesetreescannotwaitforthe‘complaint’processtotakeplace.Oncethenecessaryretro itstakeplace,SDOTcouldseekpartnershipstoimplementongoingtreegratemanagement.UrbanForestryFundingSeattleMetropolitanParksDistrictSeattle’surbanforestrepresentsalong‐terminvestmentingreeninfrastructureandourqualityoflife.Bycreatingastableandreliablefundingsource,theSeattleParksDistrictwillenabletheCitytomanageandplanforthelong‐termratherthanbeingtiedtotheuncertaintyofrecurringlevies.Continuingthecycleofdeferredmaintenancethreatensthehealthofournaturalareasandwillresultinsigni icantcanopycoverlossandincreasedcostsoverthelongterm.TheCommissiondiscussedtheprosandconsofthismeasureandvotedtosupportallowingvoterstodecide.TheCommissionsentaletterofrecommendationforCityCounciltoputtheMetropolitanParksDistrictontheAugust5,2014ballot.Thismeasurewaspassed.CarbonMarketTheCommissionseesopportunitiesforfundingurbanforestrythroughthecreationoftreeplantingandcanopyprotocolsthatmightallow

CaliforniabusinessestopurchasecarbonoffsetscomingfromSeattle.TheCommissionwillfollowdevelopmentin

WashingtonStateandcontinuetoengageinindingurbanforestryopportunitiesintheCarbonmarket.UrbanForestryCommission/UrbanForestInter‐departmentalTeamJointMeetingTheCommissionandtheUrbanForestInter‐departmentalTeamhadtheir2014extendedworksessionatCampLong.ThegoalofthemeetingthisyearwastostrengthenthepartnershipbetweenthegroupsinordertoaccomplishthegoalsoftheUrbanForestStewardshipPlan.Tothatend,theprimaryfocusoftheannualmeetingwasthe4HChallengeCourse,ateam‐buildingexerciseleadbyfacilitatorsfromCampLong.

ThemeetingconcludedwithavisittothefuturesiteoftheUrbanForestryCommissionGroveatCampLong.RaceandSocialJusticeAfterparticipatinginthe2013raceandsocialjusticetraining,theCommissioncontinuedtoinquireontheraceandsocialjusticeaspectsofitsworkandhowtobestengageSeattle’sdiversepopulation.AsaresultofthisinquiryandthepartnershipwithCouncilmemberSallyBagshaw,theCommissionproposedamendingtheordinancethatcreatedtheCommissiontoaddatenthpositiontoitsmembership.ThenewpositionwillbeoccupiedbyaGet

Engagedyoungadult,tobothencourageyoungadultstoparticipateandtocontributetotheCommission’sdiversity.CommissionChangesThreenewmembersjoinedtheUrbanForestryCommissionin2014:SteveZemke Position1‐WildlifeBiologist ,DonnaKostka Position2‐UrbanEcologist ,andJoannaNelsondeFloresPosition#7‐NGORepresentative .PegStaeheli’ssecondtermendsin2014.Recruitmentforherposition Position#4‐Hydrologist iscurrentlyunderway.CommissionersLeifFixenPosition#5‐Arborist andTomEarly Position#6‐LandscapeArchitect werere‐appointedtosecondthree‐yearterms.LeifFixenwillbechairin2015andTomEarlyvicechair.ConclusionTheCommission’s irstsixyearsinvolvedextensiveorganizationaldevelopment.

TheCommissionhasworkedtosupportandframethegoalsandpoliciesoftheCity.TheoriginalimpetusfortheCom‐

missioncameoutofaconcernfortreeprotec‐tionandinterimguidancethroughabluerib‐boncommission.TheCommissionispleasedtohavesupportedtheapplicationofthe2007UrbanForestManagementPlanandtheupdatewiththeadopted2013UrbanForestStewardshipPlan.TheCommissionisalsopleasedtohaveparticipatedinSDOT’sTreeOrdinanceandtheirdevelopmentoftheStreetTreeManual.Mostimportantly,theCommissionispleasedtohavecontinuedtobuildrapportwiththemembersoftheCity’sUrbanForestIDTbyidentifyingsharedgoalsandideals,andrecognizedthecomplexitiesofmanagingSeattle’surbanforest,andtohaveprovidedaforumfordiscussionsofthevaluesandconcernsfortrees,vegetation,andhabitatinSeattle.NextStepsTheCommissionwantstofocusenergyonobtainingsupportforarobustDPDtreeordinanceforprotectionoftreesonprivateproperty.Othereffortsinclude: ReviewoftheSDOT'sTreeandSidewalk

OperationsPlan; SDOT'sRight‐of‐WayImprovement

Manualupdate;

2014UrbanForestryCommission

PegStaeheli,ChairHydrologist—Position#4

TomEarly,Vice‐chairLandscapeArchitect—Position#6

SteveZemkeWildlifeBiologist—Position#1

DonnaKostkaUrbanEcologist—Position#2

GordonBradleyUniversityRepresentative—Position#3

LeifFixenArborist—Position#5

JoannaNelsondeFloresNGORepresentative—Position#7

JeffReibmanDevelopmentCommunity—Position#8

ErikRundellEconomist/FinancialAnalyst—Position#9 

DPD'sComprehensivePlanupdate; OSE'sMonitoringFrameworkfortheUrban

ForestStewardshipPlan;and Parks’RevisedPermanentUsePolicyfor

NaturalAreasandGreenSpaces.

Contact:

AdditionalinformationabouttheUrbanForestryCommissioncanbefoundat:www.seattle.gov/urbanforestrycommission/,orbycontacting:SandraPintodeBaderCoordinator,UrbanForestryCommissionSeattleOf iceofSustainability&EnvironmentP.O.Box94729Seattle,WA98124‐4649Sandra.Pinto_de_Bader@seattle.gov206 684‐3194