In a significant policy shift, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is moving to make microplastics and PFAS (“forever chemicals”) a central focus of national environmental and public health regulation. This emerging priority reflects growing scientific evidence, public concern, and … Continue reading EPA Elevates Microplastics and “Forever Chemicals” as New National Priority
Across the Pacific Northwest, communities are facing a future shaped by stronger and more frequent atmospheric river (AR) events—long, narrow bands of moisture that deliver intense rainfall over short periods. These storms, increasingly amplified by climate change, are now recognized … Continue reading How Tree Canopy Protects Communities from Flooding in an Era of Intensifying Atmospheric Rivers
The following statement has been presented as a defense of the tree covenant by a blog post on Surfside preservation we site and Annette. Tree covenants do not: Reduce overall tree cover.Expose residents to high winds, flooding, severe storms, smoke … Continue reading What Washington City Leaders Actually Say About Trees
In Annette’s blog post she claims I asserted. Tree covenants enforcement Does not promote removing trees that the boards preservation members argue are cheap to cut down (would like to know where this quote comes from). Mean that those that … Continue reading The Price of a Tree: How the Board Measures Value in terms of removing tre es, Not the environmental benefits
The Surfside Tree Committee claims there is no direct evidence linking the destruction of trees around Seabreeze Lake to the rise of blue-green algae, even while acknowledging that trees reduce phosphorus and stormwater runoff—two of the primary drivers of algae … Continue reading Trees, Stormwater, and Seabreeze Lake: Why Tree Canopy Matters
Responding to Claims About Surfside’s Tree Covenant A post on the Surfside Preservation page—written by a member of the Surfside Tree Committee—accuses critics of the tree covenant of relying on “logical fallacies,” even labeling one resident the “Manager of Mischief.” … Continue reading When Science Is Dismissed as “Mischief”:
Along the streets and lots of Surfside, Washington, stand what many residents now call the “ghost trees.” They are not casualties of wildfire or storms. They are the remains of once-healthy trees that were topped, mutilated, and slowly killed in … Continue reading The Ghost Trees of Surfside: Who Pays for clearing an Environmental Crime Scene?
In many communities, tree height restrictions were originally created to protect views or maintain neighborhood aesthetics. However, when these rules require homeowners to repeatedly top or remove healthy trees, they can undermine environmental protection and raise serious questions about the … Continue reading Tree Height Restrictions, Environmental Protection, and Civil Rights
Falling trees often receive dramatic attention after storms, yet statistically they represent one of the rarest causes of accidental death. When compared with common hazards people routinely accept — such as driving, home fires, or falls — the risk from … Continue reading How Dangerous Are Falling Trees Compared to health risks of removing trees or other causes of death?
The environmental boxing match of the century Every new home represents safety, shelter, and stability for people. But it also represents tree loss, carbon emissions, water runoff, pollution, and habitat destruction. Cities and counties routinely approve housing without accounting for … Continue reading Man versus Tree
