Sedona the Trees Network UPDATE

Hello everyone,

I attended the 6:00pm City Council meeting tonight (Tuesday 9-11-07 and I am very happy with the results of this meeting.

Due to the incredible response from everyone, we have made a huge difference by saving some (20) Large Sycamore trees from either being cut down or from suffering severe damage from the construction process. (digging near the roots)

The sidewalk on the north side of highway 179 in front of the New Age stores will now be made to curve around to save(4)trees there. 1/17 inch Sycamore tree is slated for removal along the stretch of road there because it ends up in the proposed roadway and (1) tree is still subject to removal unless an agreement can be made to change a driveway location.

ADOT is still looking at the possibility of saving the two large Sycamores near the Tlaquepaque wall and the telephone pole by swerving the road to the bridge perhaps just a few feet to the north. One of these trees is probably the oldest of the bunch.

Tree wells will be built around any trees on the north side of Highway 179 where substantial grade changes will be made.

Gabions (rocks in metal wire caging) will be permanently installed at the entire length of the Talaquapaque parking lot and creek embankment to stabilize (8)of the huge Sycamore trees that were undermined by the flash flood some 3 years ago. This has always been a concern of Save the Trees from the beginning.

The size of the trees to be planted as part of the new landscape have been stepped up to 24inch box and will line the avenue. My feeling is, this will look very nice and I am pleased with larger caliper replacements.

ADOT officials who were asked about an approximate cost of these changes stated it is about $200,000

I would like to thank the Sierra Club Verde Valley Chapter for all they have done in such short notice. I encourage more people to join and support this Nationwide group by joining and taking action on any future endeavours.

And I thank everyone for all of your support. You have all been incredible. It just goes to show how we can all band together in times of need and I couldn't have done this without all of you.

I think we all learned a lot from this experience. And I know that we not only saved trees here in Sedona, but I feel this new awareness, the need for an accurate up-to-date Tree Survey for any future projects ADOT is involved with, that perhaps some trees down the road a piece will be thanking us for all that we did.

Blessings,

Jim Law
Sedona Save the Trees Network
Exec. Producer / VOICE Entertainment
Land Art Works,Inc.