Welcome to the Hyattsville Environment Committee *

*This page is NOT an official City of Hyattsville website, rather it is put together by Citizens on the HEC committee for informaitonal and idea sharing purposes. What you see is not necessarily the official position of the City of Hyattsville (although it should be!).

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Update - Feb 20, 2008 - The Committee has just sent out this email to the City Council regarding the cutting down of Street Trees:

he City of Hyattsville Environmental Committee (HEC) welcomes the meetings regarding possible options on street trees slated for removal on Oglethorpe Street. As you know, the City of Hyattsville asked the Environmental Committee to review the tree canopy and come up with a plan to sustain and increase the number of trees in the City of Hyattsville, among other things. HEC has been working on other charges given to it, but sustaining trees in Hyattsville is a key part to all aspects of the environment in the City of Hyattsville.

The City of Hyattsville has demonstrated its commitment to maintaining its tree canopy, through for example our participation in the Tree City USA program. And yet, a recent study by the Department of Natural Resources indicates that over sixty percent of potential street tree sites within Hyattsville remain unutilized. Therefore, HEC recommends that at this time everything possible should be done to retain the current trees unless they are in dead or dying and are in danger of falling. HEC cannot imagine a situation where a tree could not be worked around, even if it meant an extra cost to the City, rather than have it removed. The DNR report clearly shows that each tree saves the City upwards of $100 per year. This could be a huge savings to the City. For example, with around 16 trees slated for removal (both Pear and Oak), and each living another 20 years (on average), that would be over $30,000 which the City would be "agreeing" to lose. The trees on Oglethorpe Street represent a significant asset to the City through their services towards storm water management, energy savings by reducing the need for heating and cooling, carbon sequestration and reduction, and air quality improvement.

HEC also recommends that those trees that the Company deems dead or dying and of in danger of falling be reviewed by the Hyattsville Tree Board if they will accept that responsibility. Those making the decision whether a tree is removed or not may not be in the best position to make that decision as they are not thinking about the long term benefits of the trees but rather ease of doing their job or payment for removing them. HEC will be addressing the "Tree coverage" charge in a few months time and will recommend a plan of action to the City Council on how to increase tree coverage and to keep Hyattsville a Tree City USA.

Sincerely,

Hyattsville Environmental Committee

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Update - Jan 13, 2008 - The Committee has been finailizing the Trash Reduction report that will be presented to Council. At the same time, we are working on phase 2 which is the U.S. Mayor's Climate Protection Aggreement. The City has purchased software from ICLEI that will help the City measure its carbon output so that we can focus on the right areas for reduction. Come join us! Contact me (jgroves4ward2@gmail.com) for information.


Minutes of Past Meetings located here.

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1. Potomac River Watershed Trash Treaty 2. U.S. Mayor’s Climate Protection Agreement 3. US EPA - Waste Wise Program

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The general mission of the Environment Committee is to provide Council and staff recommendations regarding parks usage and maintenance, waste reduction / recycling, and sustainable practices. The Committee may establish work groups among the members to facilitate work in the areas of waste reduction and recycling, energy conservation, and tree plantings and native species protection, and is encouraged to communicate with other groups in the City that are addressing similar issues. The following actions are requested of the committee:

• 1. Prepare for Council and Staff consideration a City plan that is in conformance with the recently signed Trash Free Potomac Treaty and that could serve as an application for EPA's Waste wise (waste reduction) program.

• 2. Prepare for Council and Staff consideration a City action plan to improve the quality of our parks, increase the City's tree coverage, and expand the native plantings in throughout the City.

• 3. Prepare for Council and Staff consideration guidelines and information that would lead to City and community actions that are less harmful to the environment than are current practices.

• 4. Prepare for Council and Staff consideration guidelines and information that would lead to the City to participate in the Cool Cities program with innovative energy solutions that curb global warming, save tax payer dollars, and create healthier cities.

The Mayor and Council discussed the issue at length. The motion passed, unanimously.

Council Members: Marc Tartaro, Nicole Hinds

Residents Appointed: John Aquilino, Elizabeth Arnold, Tracy Clarke, Jim Groves, Anthony Patterson, M.A. Sheehan,