We're writing today as a group of concerned citizens regarding the current PG&E plan to remove trees from the West Broad Street neighborhood of Nevada City. We are very aware of the current fire danger across the state, and we are grateful for the work you've done over the years for the Nevada County Fire Safe Council. We understand that limited, responsible and respectful tree removal can be an important part of keeping our community safe during these dangerous times.

That being said, we feel like removing 260+ trees from our downtown with limited community input is an overreach on PG&E's part. In particular, we are concerned about the removal of certain Legacy trees that are an important part of our town's beauty and heritage. These trees vastly pre-date the power lines to which they are adjacent, and their value to this community is difficult to measure in dollars and impossible to replace, even with the planting of other, younger trees.

There are vast swaths of forest through which it's understandable that power companies may need to work quickly and decisively to remove large numbers of trees in order to preserve the safety of the forest at large. There are other areas—such as downtown Nevada City—that are limited in size and unique in value, and which deserve more precision and more accommodation. We urge you to make the planning process inclusive and community-driven. We urge you to convince your employers at PG&E that ways must be found to protect at least the oldest and most precious of these trees. We ask you to further explore the limited use of underground lines and/or other technological measures that can mitigate the risk of line-caused fire. We ask you to understand that community interest in this issue is rising rapidly and that this letter is the first step in what is becoming an organized and multi-faceted resistance. We are exploring our options as we move forward, and we sincerely hope that you will do the same. Please work closely with both elected officials and the community at large to build a path that is acceptable to all.

Thank you.