Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Larry Ellison Tree Fight: Oracle CEO Settles Longstanding Lawsuit - San Francisco, CA

Larry Ellison Tree Fight: Oracle CEO Settles Longstanding Lawsuit - CNBC

Oracle CEO and Founder Larry Ellison has settled his longstanding lawsuit…over trees.

Barri Kaplan Bonapart, who specializes in tree law, and represents Mr. Ellison, told CNBC that the lawsuit has been “resolved to everyone’s satisfaction.”

A trial date had been set for June 6.

The multi-millionaire’s 5-bedroom, 10,000+ square-foot residence in San Francisco’s Pacific Heights had had its views of the Bay become obstructed by his neighbor’s two giant redwood trees.

Church asks judge to reconsider airport tree-cutting ruling - Hilton Head, NC

Church asks judge to reconsider airport tree-cutting ruling | islandpacket.com


A historic, native-island congregation on Hilton Head Island has asked a judge to reconsider his May 13 order that allows airport tree work.

A church attorney also said the congregation only wants to prevent trees from being removed and would not fight efforts to trim them.

Beaufort County Master in Equity Marvin Dukes III dismissed the church's challenge of a town permit for the county to trim and remove about 1,400 trees at the north end of the runway to meet federal safety regulations.

St. James Baptist Church filed a motion May 23 asking Dukes to reconsider that decision.

The church, on Beach City Road north of the county-owned airport, filed a lawsuit in January aimed at stopping tree-cutting on airport property. Church members say tree removal would destroy a natural sound barrier and buffer. The suit says the town's zoning board improperly denied their appeals and a town ordinance allowing the tree work is invalid.

Dukes, however, ruled the board acted within its authority and said the church failed to prove any damage would come from the tree work. The church's May 23 motion reiterates those claims dismissed by Dukes.

Montgomery's electricity crisis continues as utility ignores recommendations on infrastructure and communication and focused on trees - Montgomery County, MD

Panel: Montgomery's electricity crisis continues


Montgomery County's struggle for quality electrical service is not over, according to at least one member of a panel that studied the issue.

"Montgomery County is still in the middle of a crisis," said Keith Haller, a member of a panel assembled by County Executive Isiah Leggett (D) to study Pepco.
Despite the group's work, Haller said Pepco has largely ignored the panel's recommendations and is committed to conducting business as usual, with few improvements to its infrastructure or communication.

City councilor's view: Help Duluth regain its lost designation as a Tree City, USA - Duluth, MN

City councilor's view: Help Duluth regain its lost designation as a Tree City, USA | Duluth News Tribune | Duluth, Minnesota


Just over eight years ago, Duluth lost its designation as a “Tree City, USA.” Recently, I’ve been proud to work with the mayor and city staff in a truly proactive program to not only regain our Tree City designation but also to beautify our city.

Since 2003, no boulevard trees have been planted unless there was total reconstruction of a street. It is estimated that 40 percent of Duluth’s boulevard tree canopy has been lost.

City receives grant to determine tree canopy coverage - Issaquah, WA

City receives grant to determine tree canopy coverage : The Issaquah Press – News, Sports, Classifieds and More in Issaquah, WA


The city is poised to deploy experts to determine how much land sits beneath leafy tree branches.
The most recent estimate — using 2006 aerial photography and collected in a 2008 tree canopy survey — estimates the tree canopy coverage inside city limits at 51 percent.
The percentage could vary between surveys, due to recent construction and the methods used in the earlier effort. The initial program did not meet regional standards for tree canopy surveys, but the measure did provide baseline tree canopy information for the city Comprehensive Plan, a key growth blueprint.
Issaquah received a $10,000 grant from the state Department of Natural Resources to fund the upcoming study. Municipal staffers intend to contribute $6,350 to the project through in-kind services. City Council members accepted the grant May 2.
The assessment is meant to provide a more accurate analysis of the city’s tree canopy. In addition, the city intends to assess areas covered by other vegetation. Issaquah includes about 1,300 acres in open space.