The Facts and the Law

SAVE OUR TREES NETWORK
Sedona Arizona / Oak Creek at
Tlequepaque

UPDATE

"WE" want the truth and nothing but the truth from ADOT (Arizona
Dept. Of Transportation)

Thank you everyone for your support. I have had a flood of emails and
phone calls in support of this issue from as far away as Indiana. One
guy contacted me from Europe while he is on vacation.

We are getting their attention. Read the front of the Red Rock News
from yesterday, 8-8-07. Notice the smoke-screen, the disinformation
about the tree count. I wonder why the Red Rock News would publish
this for ADOT when they have not published the FULL information
(without editing) that Wendy, owner of Tlaquepaque sent to them
recently.

We would like proof that what ADOT says about the proposed tree count
is the really the case. Because the plans that I have in my
possession shows the round-about being moved to the south of its
original location.

I would like to know WHO approved this change AFTER the general public approved the ORIGINAL plan.

It clearly shows the trees that are being threatened due to this change and even without the change, many trees have been slated for removal or will be damaged in time due to reckless tearing up of their roots.

I have a copy of the report from the Arborist who was hired to come
up from Phoenix to evaluate the situation. It is NOT good news.

To date, several Sycamore trees have already been damaged and others
lives are at risk. A large hole was dug in front of the decorative
wall at Tlaquepaque that faces the highway. We have photographs of
the large feeder roots that were totally mangled without any regard
to the life of the tree. This is a 32" diameter Sycamore that could
be well over 200 years old. These trees can fall towards the parking
area and pedestrians due to a lack of root zone strength on the
street side. Their food, nutrient and water source has been cut off
on that side now and the tree will loose equal or more, top growth on
the canopy on the side where the roots were severed.

The following is a list of requirements that I feel ADOT needs to
comply with before any more work is done at the Highway 179 from
Exposures Gallery all the way to the intersection of 89A. They
continue to dig at night.

SAY NO... to the proposed round-about construction at the Oak Creek
bridge. There is no need for one there due to the fact that most
people turn left at the bridge anyway.

1) ADOT needs to physically and clearly mark with blue ribbon, any
trees that are slated for removal from Exposures Gallery to the 89A
intersection according to the most recent plan from Aug. 5th 07
showing the round-about being moved over 65ft. to the south. This is
will give anyone interested in seeing the exact trees they propose to
cut down a good visual as to what they are REALLY planning to do
before anything gets approved or any further work takes place along
that corridor. They say that hardly any trees are going to be
effected...then show us.

Note: if the city of Sedona requires a permit for anyone wanting to
cut anything down that is over 6" caliper, then surely, ADOT must
comply. Why is ADOT able to destroy trees, especially in a high
visibility area such as at the north and south side of the bridge
Tlaquepaque all the way to 89A?

2) Prior to any digging, excavation, clearing, removing, stockpiling
of any soil, all trees or vegetated areas need to have orange
barricade netting installed at the drip line of all trees and native
vegetation that are NOT to be removed. Compaction alone, from heavy
equipment, can kill the trees.

3) A tree survey showing all native trees and vegetation needs to be
provided for public viewing. This tree survey will note all trees to
be removed and those that will stay and it will note how those that
will stay will be protected with barricades, and how the tops of the
trees will be trimmed.

4) ADOT needs to provide downstream protection to all residents and
businesses that will be impacted by the bridge development. They plan
to construct a masonry wall along the edge of the creek, (that's
great if you like the looks of a seawall facing highway 179 instead
of the natural creek embankment) This construction will speed up the
flow of water creating a disaster downstream. There are NO plans
whatsoever as it is NOT in the scope of work for ADOT to address any
downstream creek embankment treatment that will be effected by what
they plan to do UPSTREAM.

5) No Rise Study: Where is the copy, available to the public, of what
is called, "no-rise study?"
This is required in order to ensure that whatever someone does
upstream, does not inadvertently effect any property downstream in a
negative way. The no-rise study is an in-depth engineers report that
can take weeks or months to come up with. This study will show the
effects of what will happen if someone builds a structure, such as a
bridge, retainer wall, or any object that might influence the flow of
water: velocity, or that could force the river to rise higher than
usual downstream of that construction. Our City planners require this
even if you want to build a small 4' ft. wall in a part-time wash.

5) An Environmental Impact Study needs to be done by a non-biased
company and the findings provided to the public before any other work
takes place between Hillside Sedona and the intersection of highway 89A.

6) Oak Creek is a Federal waterway. Who, in our federal government,
approved this?



Jim Law
Land Art Works
Exec. Producer / V.O.I.C.E Entertaiment
928-451-0321