Living in rural Iowa is a choice, driven by a love of nature, community and distance from city congestion. The Johnson County Secondary Roads Department has a policy to clear ALL trees from fenceline to fenceline that will have a mature size of 4" or more in diameter. This results in them clear cutting everything along our rural roads. This leaves the area barren of anything that wildlife can use for habitat or food. This removes any tree that has even the potential of creating shade in the summer. The mature, healthy trees that they have razed were not any direct threat to traffic nor safety. This policy is in direct conflict with the USDA Forrestry's goal of preventing the next Dust Bowl. This policy is also in conflict with protecting our wildlife, including pheasant populations, our environment, and our water quality. Trees are necessary to prevent erosion, filter and slow field runoff, provide oxygen and mitigate CO2. Trees along roadsides also prevent blowing, and drifting snow that are safety concerns. Changing the policy to allow trees that are not a direct hazard to remain will allow wildlife to have permanent habitat. Changing the policy to allow trees that are not a direct hazard to remain will allow wildlife to have permanent habitat. It will also ensure our tax dollars are not spent on harming our environment.We want the policy changed to allow trees on the upslope of secondary roads to remain, unless they are diseased, dead or dying.