To Whom Is Responsible:
I am a retired forester and soils expert and yesterday I was appalled to see that the city is cutting down all the trees along Bridge street.
I talked with a public works employee who was working there and asked him why? He said that the city council had made the decision to remove the trees and their reasons were based on complaints from business owners, irrigation and sidewalk problems, etc.
Did you take into consideration that other businesses such as the Winnemucca Pizzeria voiced their opposition to cutting the trees? That taxpayers paid a considerable amount of their taxes to have the trees planted in the first place? That trees are a beautiful and practical addition to the downtown landscaping, soil water replenishment and wildlife habitat for birds? That many citizens such as me appreciate and love trees as a welcome addition to a desert and water scarce environment?
I did receive a reply from the city manager and he claims the trees were unhealthy, the water irrigation system needs replacing and they were told by a state forester to not plant more trees in such a manner. I would recommend to them that they can use low water consumptive species which thrive in this area such as ornamental Russian Olive and native Utah Juniper.
Joe Ratliff
