A new map shows the power company SDG&E’s plans to remove nearly every single tree on the West side of the park, including almost a dozen endangered Torrey Pines that are perfectly mature and healthy! VIEW THE NEW MAP here: https://imgur.com/a/8evrV Here is what we know so far: • SDG&E’s new tree cutting map, which was brought to our attention at the last community meeting, shows a clear and imminent plan by SDG&E to deforest the entire West Side of Carmel Mission Park, including clear cutting endangered Torrey Pines. This plan would leave the West side of the park not only unprotected from sound or wind, it would leave no protection of the homes lining the park against potential wildfires. Our real question is still WHY? One look at this map shows a distinct and clear plan to rid one side of the park of trees in a straight line for about a mile. What are they planning to do with that cleared space? • In an interview back in August with the Del Mar Times, Greg Peck from SDG&E admitted that this would drastically change the look of the park, saying “It’s going to look completely different because those are tall, beautiful trees [and they will be gone.]” • At the last community meeting, we were told that tree replacement options were NOT going to be limited to just 15 gallon potted plants, which would be absolutely no replacement for the healthy, endangered, mature, oxygen-giving trees we currently have. Our current trees have taken 50+ years to grow, and many of our older residents are afraid they will “not be around to see any new trees mature.” We were assured that SDG&E was giving the community a few decisions about which trees were replacement options when they first proposed this drastic plan. • And yet we were shocked to then read another direct contradiction in the August Del Mar Times article. Here is their official statement from SDG&E: ”For every tree removed, SDG&E will replace it with two 15-gallon tree replacements that would grow to about 30 to 40 feet at the most.” This was the opposite of what the community was told. • In the November community meeting that myself and SDG&E attended, the community was also told that stumps would be removed and we would be able to replant. Another contradiction. The article cites, “After the trees are removed there will be no stump grinding because of the threat of soil erosion on the hillside.” This would leave us with stumps all around the park: an eyesore and threat to our property values. This is the official word from the city on the power company’s final plans. Read the story here: http://www.delmartimes.net/news/sd-cm-nc-mission-park-20170803-story.html • In the last week, San Diego has seen devastating wildfires and hurricane-high winds unlike those previously recorded. None of the trees in our park – or even any of the branches – fell or were in danger of falling. This directly contradicts SDG&E assertion that the trees are in danger of experiencing “tree failure” and falling onto power lines in the face of storms. • In fact, healthy trees like the ones lining our park may have had a direct impact in stopping recent wildfires from spreading to our town, as they offset carbon emissions. Last week, California’s attorney general announced that carbon emissions are the leading cause of California’s wildfires, and that, without stopping them, we may continue to see wildfires like ones in neighboring towns of Oceanside and Bonsall for years to come. We are asking for complete transparency from the power company, SDG&E. They asked the community’s opinion, and yet myself and the hundreds of folks who’ve reached out have not received the courtesy of an e-mail or a phone call back to our request to SAVE THESE TREES! SDG&E’s representatives skipped the last community meeting this month and since then, have refused to acknowledge the community’s opinion. Our message is clear: THERE IS A BETTER WAY! These trees are native. They have survived where we live despite some of them not being watered in 5+ years! Replacing them with anything else wastes community resources and tax dollars and is COMPLETELY UNNECESSARY! We are simply asking that SDG&E maintain the trees, NOT clear cut them! Over the last few weeks, I have been CC’d on dozens and dozens of heartbreaking, outraged, impassioned emails from family’s who live in the community, sent directly to SDG&E. And trust me, they have made a dent. I’ve cried, I’ve wept, I’ve reached out to you, I've met the most incredible people. These trees are not just trees. They represent sentimental and personal value to people. They are sometimes the SOLE reason people have moved to this wonderful community. Look around the trees and you see homes, people, stories, memories and a community who loves these endangered, beautiful plants and their park with all their hearts. The most important thing you can do is continue to reach out to the people who need to hear it most, SDG&E and San Diego City. Tell them you are against the deforestation and would like SDG&E to consider alternate options besides clear cutting Carmel Mission Park (such as anchoring the trees together with a cable or manicuring branches on selected trees, for example): Greg Peck (SDG&E) Email - gpeck@semprautilities.com Phone - 619-405-8120 Michael Daleo (SDG&E) Email - mdaleo@semprautilities.com Phone - 858-654-8630 Barbara Bry (City Council Member for Carmel Valley) Email - barbarabry@sandiego.gov Please CC me: taramackey@me.com This is THE most important thing that you can do. Next month I will take all your signatures and comments to our final meeting with the Community Planning Board and City Council Members, who will decide the next best steps along with the citizens.  We want to protect the community. I have talked to thousands of people this month, and I haven’t spoken to a single person who wants to see these trees go. We’d love to get branches trimmed as necessary. It is SDG&E’s obligation, along with the city, to work together with the community to put our heads together to solve a problem and make sure everyone is happy with the outcome. We look forward to doing that. Thank you so much for your continued efforts to save our community. I appreciate it from the bottom of my heart. Don't forget to email SDG&E and then share this with your friends! Spreading the word helps so much!