*SACRAMENTO*-- The largest political party environmental organization in Sacramento hailed a Congressional proposal Wednesday that could save trees previously slated to be clear-cut along levees surrounding Sacramento.
A bill introduced by Rep. Doris Matsui, D-Sacramento, and cosponsored by Sacramento Congressional Democrats John Garamendi and Ami Bera, would require the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to decide how to manage trees along flood control levees on a regional basis instead of a "one size fits all" policy.
Corin Choppin, vice president of the Green Democratic Club of Sacramento County, said: "The Green Democrats believe that Trees deserve the benefit of the doubt, and when there is no direct evidence they pose a threat to our levees that they should be protected. It is our hope that new legislation proposed by Rep. Matsui will help protect our trees."
In a controversial decision, the Army Corps determined in recent years that all trees and shrubbery be removed from levees, despite California policies to allow trees to remain in areas that were stripped of them when the levees were originally built. California officials said the federal policy violated the Endangered Species Act and sued the Army Corps.
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