Dear Oakland Firesafe Council Friends,
Hopefully you know that the City of Oakland revised vegetation management plan was posted last month and have heard about the improvements that have been recommended based on considerable community input, including OFSC. Some of you participated in the discussion at our regular meeting October 18th and/or the special board meeting October 23rd, others have had meetings in your community.
There’s a growing consensus that it’s a good enough plan to form the basis for work that will make Oakland and our neighbors in Alameda and Contra Costa Counties safer. Some of us are disappointed to see thinning rather than removal of highly flammable trees, others wish for more restoration; everyone I’ve heard from loves the clearing of dead and dying trees within 100 feet of the roadside, those who’ve noticed are pleased with greater collaboration with the volunteers who steward the city parks. For these reasons, the OFSC board voted to support the plan.
If you’d like to express your opinion on this issue, there are several steps you can take:
- Attend the only public hearing at 3pm on November 1st at Oakland City Hall (can only speak in person); email [email protected] to indicate your interest.
- Email [email protected] by 5pm on November 4th.
- Email your City Council member and their staff.
- Let me know if you’d like updates for the City Council meeting once this is scheduled for their review and approval.
Please let me know if you have questions or concerns, I’ll do my best to respond. Hope to see you at the Planning meeting @ City Hall on Wednesday,
~ Elizabeth Stage, OFSC Vice President