Is move to act motivated in part by concerns over who pays?; Galveston, TX; 4/29/09

Don't rush to cut island's old trees Daily News - Galveston County - TX,USA
Obviously, large dead trees on public rights of way sooner or later become a public health hazard. The survey estimated the cost of removing trees of more than 6 inches in diameter at $706,180. That figure is based on rates set by the Federal Emergency Management Agency for removing storm debris.We’re concerned that the sense of urgency about this problem of dead and dying trees on public property is based partly on who might pick up the bill. The longer it takes for the city to take care of this problem, the likelier it is that the federal government will decline to pay for the cost of removing the trees.