MITIGATED NEGATIVE
DECLARATION AND MITIGATION
MONITORING REPORTING
PROGRAM FOR THE ALEPPO
PINE TREE REMOVAL AND
REPLACEMENT PROJECT
City Council
December 17, 2024
PARKS AND
RECREATION
ALEPPO PINE TREE REMOVAL AND
REPLACEMENT PROJECT
PARKS AND
RECREATION
1. Overview of City’s Urban Forest
2. Project Background
3. Tree Removal and Replacement Update
4. Environmental Review
5. Conclusion and Next Steps
2 CITY’S URBAN FOREST
• Burbank has a 47 -year history of recognition as Tree City, USA, by the Arbor Day Foundation
• 33,000 City trees located in parkways and parks
• Park, Recreation and Community Services
Department is responsible for maintaining and
enhancing Burbank’s Urban Forest
• Administer proper tree care, such as planting,
inspecting, pruning, and addressing hazards including
the removal of trees
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RECREATION 3
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RECREATION
PROJECT BACKGROUND
• February 2023 – Two Aleppo Pine failures during a rain and windstorm 4 PROJECT BACKGROUND
ALEPPO PINE FAILURES
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RECREATION 5
PROJECT BACKGROUND
• Spring 2023 – City’s Arboriculture experts assessed 121 Aleppo Pines and one (1) Italian Stone Pine citywide and determined they likely reached their mature life and are at risk of failure
• Summer 2023 – A study was initiated for a phased removal and replacement of high-risk trees
• Summer/Fall 2023 – Public Engagement : Mailed notices, online resources, Parks and Recreation Board Meeting, Sustainable Burbank Commission Meeting, and an Informational Community Meeting • September 2023 & January 2024 – Independent risk assessments
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RECREATION 6
TREE REMOVAL AND
REPLACEMENT UPDATE
• October 2023 – Three (3) Aleppo Pines trees were
removed on an emergency basis
• February 2024 – Seven (7) Aleppo Pines trees and one (1) Stone Pine tree were removed on an emergency basis
• March 2024 - One (1) Aleppo Pine tree fell on an
occupied home during windy conditions
• March to May 2024 - 38 Aleppo Pines were removed on
an emergency basis
PARKS AND
RECREATION 7
TREE REMOVAL AND
REPLACEMENT UPDATE
ALEPPO PINE FAILURE – March 2024
8 TREE REMOVAL AND
REPLACEMENT UPDATE
• From October 2023 to May 2024 – 98 replacement trees were planted, ensuring a net increase of trees
• Residents given the opportunity to select replacement tree species
• Most replacement trees were 48” box size trees
• Additional new trees planted were 36” box size trees • Slow-release watering bag available to all residents • City paid for the tree, regardless of size, and watering bag
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RECREATION 9
REPLACEMENT TREE UPDATES
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RECREATION
10 REPLACEMENT TREE UPDATES
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RECREATION
11 REPLACEMENT TREE UPDATES
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RECREATION
12 REPLACEMENT TREE UPDATES
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RECREATION
13 ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
• An Initial Study was prepared pursuant the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)
• Analyzed the potential environmental impacts of the Project • Considered the remaining Aleppo Pine trees and those previously removed
• Concluded the Project would not have any potentially significant environmental effects that cannot be mitigated to below the level of significance
• Identified a potential significant impact could result if trees were removed during the general bird nesting season of February 1 through August 31 • The impact could be reduced to a less than significant level with the implementation of Mitigation Measure BIO-1 requiring bird nesting surveys prior to removal or maintenance of any trees
14 ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
• City prepared a draft Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND) • Notice of Intent to Adopt MND and draft MND published on June 1, 2024
• 45-day public review period
• Available at Burbank Public Libraries, City Clerk’s Office and a dedicated City webpage
• Notification to residents via mailers and emails
• 45 written comments were received by July 15, 2024
• City provide written responses to all comments
• The final MND considers and responds to written
comments (Appendix F) 15
MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION and
MITIGATION MONITORING AND
REPORTING PROGRAM
• Final MND determined that the Aleppo Pine Tree Removal and Replacement Project would result in less than significant impacts to the environment including : aesthetics, air quality, energy use, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, noise, with no mitigation measures required
• A Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program has been prepared to monitor the implementation of Mitigation Measure BIO-1 as it pertains to general bird nesting season
16 CONCLUSION AND NEXT STEPS
• The Projects aims to sustain and enhance City’s tree canopy with resilient, well-adapted replacement and new trees to provide long-term environmental and community benefits • A phased removal and replacement plan developed for the remaining trees over the next five (5) years
• Staff recommends that the Council Adopt the Mitigated Negative Declaration, Adopt the Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program, and Approve the Aleppo Pine Tree
Removal and Replacement Project
17 THANK YOU
Marisa Garcia
Parks & Recreation Director
[email protected]
818.238.5300
PARKS AND
RECREATION