May 2008 Archives

Alan Watts, the Fix290 webmaster, reports clear cutting of old growth oaks near Old Bee Caves Road:

I just spoke with Paul Roberts at City of Austin Environmental Review. Last month when the clear-cutting occured, someone else noticed the large trees being cut and a stop-work order was issued. He said his supervisor said this was one of the worst destruction of Class 1 trees she had seen in her 13 years here. Over 1000 inches of old growth Oaks, Elms and Pecans were destroyed along a tributary of the creek. What I saw was only about 1/10 of the total - the others were already hauled and shredded. These trees were supposed to be left alone but a worker who obviously didn't get the memo went out on a weekend and just cleared the entire site. Quite saddening...

See the sad email thread. And here are Alan's photos.