Forestry board gets down to work

The Urban Forestry Board (UFB) began their work of caring for Sisters trees in earnest at their March 11 meeting, reviewing tree-removal requests, approving the document advertising for a city forester, and getting updates on current projects.

They reviewed the Request for Proposal (RFP) drawn up by City staff for contracting a city forester to provide urban forestry advisory services for staff and the UFB. RFP proposals are due April 1, 2015, interviews and the board's recommendation to City Council will take place in April, with commencement of contract slated for May 1, 2015.

The successful contractor will be a certified arborist or forester with a minimum of five years experience working in a forest and urban environment for private or public agencies. The contractor will also have expertise in a variety of areas that are spelled out in the RFP.

The board reviewed their first request for the removal of trees in the city right-of-way on Pine Street next to the Sno-Cap Drive-in. The restaurant is hoping to submit an application for remodeling and enlarging its current facility. Because the remodel will entail completion of a new sidewalk, where there currently is none, removal is required of a 30-inch juniper tree and a 24-inch cottonwood that stand in what will be the middle of the sidewalk.

The remodel will eliminate the trailer and the storage shed that now sit at the side and back of the property. The two existing trees will be replaced with three street trees similar to those on Cascade Avenue, and there will be the addition of lawn.

The board determined that the removal of the large trees is necessary in order to construct the sidewalk. There could also be possible problems with the new footings for the building and future sidewalk damage from the roots.

Chairman Dave Moyer pointed out that there is a long-term structural issue with the cottonwood because of the way it has been growing. If the roots of the juniper became compromised due to construction and soil compaction, it could become a liability, and the safety of the restaurant's patrons and staff is a prime consideration. They cited the large pine which fell through the Ski Inn at the east of town. Board members expressed regret at the need for removing the trees but believe it is the prudent action to take.

Patrick Burke, long-time Sisters resident and graduate of the high school, has been appointed as the newest UFB member, representing the green industry. Burke's family owns Sisters Landscaping. He is also a member of the Sisters-Camp Sherman fire department. One more board position is yet to be filled, a representative of the development community.

Preliminary drawings for parking improvements and sidewalk installation on two sides of Village Green Park were reviewed to assess several locations where there is a conflict between the proposed design and existing trees. After visiting the park, the UFB will make recommendations as to resolution of the conflicts, which involve five junipers and one poplar tree. Several other large trees will be protected by constructing bulb-outs around them.

About a half-dozen trees in the Creekside Campground have been identified as diseased and dying, probably due to fairly recent beetle kill. They are located on the east side of the campground in the dog run area.

All UFB members agreed that if beetles were the culprits, those trees need to be removed as soon as possible before the beetles start flying and spreading to other trees in the area. A visit to the park was scheduled for the next day to inspect the trees and flag them. The UFB will make their recommendation about the trees to the Parks Advisory Board and the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD).

The UFB is exploring the possibility of developing an urban forest management plan that would provide the objectives and methods for establishment, maintenance and removal of trees on City property.

Generally, smaller towns like Sisters don't have such plans, usually only larger cities like Portland. Board members agreed the plan is something the city forester can put together, tiering it to existing plans for development, parks, and Whychus Creek, which already spell out some regulations regarding trees. The UFB would review the plan, confer with the PAB and the OPRD for their direction, and then bring it to the public for their comments, before creating the final draft to go to the City Council.

On Friday, March 20 the UFB will be making a site visit to the City's waste-treatment facility to view the 85 acres irrigated with waste water and also to see the City's tree nursery.