I backed off a little when I learned that the goal included trees planted on private property by homeowners and business owners. But something else has happened since then that makes me rethink my skepticism even more.
After the jump, the record-breaking drought.
According to a widely published report by the Texas Forest Service, the drought is deadly to Texas urban trees:
Five million urban trees! It's worse if you count all the trees in the state:On Wednesday, Texas Forest Service researchers said the current drought claimed the lives of about 5.6 million trees in cities, or roughly 10 percent of the state's urban forestsSource: Statesman.com.
Five hundred million trees! Let that sink in. Richardson's "Tree the Town" program's goal of 50,000 trees is beginning to look, if anything, too small. (I'm not applying my usual skeptical double-check on that 500 million figure. In this case, any big number is disaster enough.)The December preliminary report said the drought killed as much as 10 percent of the state's forest cover -- as many as 500 million trees in outlying areas.Source: Statesman.com.
Of course, planting trees during a drought is risky business. Young trees are vulnerable to lack of water. Water is needed for other worthwhile uses -- like consumption by humans to stay alive, for example. Tree planting programs need to carefully weigh all these competing demands on our limited water supply. That analysis needs to consider not just the cost of the water needed, but the cost of losing five million urban trees if we don't water them. Shade for buildings reduces cooling costs. Roots stop erosion. Trees make a city more livable. So, Richardson, don't give up on "Tree the Town." Maybe the program needs to adapt to the drought, but, because of the drought, it's needed more than ever.
7 comments:
I'm sorry to say there appears to be a vandal along the Duck Creek linear park - so far only west of Yale - that has cut down 4 or 5 of the new, young trees. It makes me sad every time I walk past them. I hope someone catches the person(s) and makes the punishment fit the crime - dig up the trees destroyed and plant new ones there.
That's terrible. Does anyone know of any other such vandalism? Let's hope it's an isolated incident. Any leads?
Interesting to note is the battle against Richardson's fiscal crisis that has been waged since the telecom, .com and housing collapses.
The Texas Legislature provided an incentive for financially strapped municipalities to bolster their borrowing power by enabling them to place an asset dollar value on trees.
At least one reason for the flurry in tree planting activity was as a result of local governments wanting/needing more asset base to borrow against to pay the bills.
By the way, I'm working on an investigative story about a major change of strategy being considered inside city hall to stop rebuilding city infrastructure (roads, alleys, sidewalks, water lines, etc.) because doing so increases the value of city assets and bolsters the city's borrowing power, which clearly is not in the residents' best interest. The new strategy will be rolled out with a campaign built around the slogan: "Let it decay, residents want it that way!"
Mark, would it be fair to summarize you comment above as a use of sarcasm to criticize those who are concerned about how out of step Richardson seems to be in comparison to other surrounding cities on spending and debt service levels? If so, here is something to consider.
Among all Texas cities with a population between 80,000 and 150,000, Richardson debt service ranks as the 3rd highest per capita debt service level in the state at $4270. The average per capita debt service level for Texas cities in 2011 was about $2083 and which is less that ½ of Richardson’s debt service level. The two cities with a debt service levels that are more than that of Richardson are Frisco at #1 with a level of $7056 and Pearland at #2 with a level of $5100. Does it not concern you that Richardson is #3 out of the 1,229 Texas cities?
When Debt Service/Assessed Value is calculated, Richardson is also #3 in the state at 4.35%, Pearland is #1 at 7.32% and Frisco is #2 at 6.04%. There are many other metrics that can be used to show Richardson finances show be a concern for any citizen.
Now back to you comment, do you really think anyone really wants to let Richardson decay? Have you bitten into the city line that “everything is ok in Richardson” line of city leaders and the other coalition types? Or do you think there might some people with some reasonable concerns for the way Richardson spends money and continues increase debt to the point of having the 3rd highest per capita debt level of cities with a population of between 80K and 150K?
dc-tm: "Mark, would it be fair to summarize you comment above as a use of sarcasm to criticize those who are concerned about how out of step Richardson seems to be in comparison to other surrounding cities on spending and debt service levels?"
No.
dc-tm: "Does it not concern you that Richardson is #3 out of the 1,229 Texas cities?"
Not necessarily. If your data are correct, Frisco is #1 and people are flocking to Frisco.
dc-tm: "Now back to you comment, do you really think anyone really wants to let Richardson decay?"
I hope not.
dc-tm: "Have you bitten into the city line that 'everything is ok in Richardson'
I wasn't aware that is the "city line."
dc-tm: "Or do you think there might some people with some reasonable concerns for the way Richardson spends money and continues increase debt"
There might be. I'm open to their arguments.
Hey Mark,
Flippant, but cute. There is a small group of social elites in town who co-opted the municipal resources. Those who bit in don't seem to be able to recognize the harm such behavior has caused throughout history. It's great, while it lasts.
Now that the cycle has run its course for Richardson, hard times are ahead. The city is teetering on its debt capacity threshold, the treasury has been looted, and the good time Charlies have sneaked out the back door, leaving the suckers to pick up the pieces. Let's see how that works out, champ.
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