Cutting down cedar trees, to increase ground water supplies, a controversial state program, was approved Monday, even though some environmental experts warn the program could cause more harm than good.
The Water Supply Enhancement Program, once known as the State Brush Control Plan, was finalized by the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board. The agency set new rules on how to tap into grant money. They've been working on this since 2011 after the drought took hold across the state and a series of legislative hearings in Austin were held. Under the plan ranchers and water districts apply for financial assistance to clear land thats primarily located over aquifer recharge areas.
According to the TSSWCB Strategic Plan, the Legislation requires a feasibility study with a computer model predicting water yield expectations to be completed prior to considering approval of a project. Additionally, a requirement for project creation to be initiated through a competitive application process was implemented, as well as a requirement for the agency to make the balance between expected water yield and relative water conservation need ( to be included in ) the primary factor in choosing which projects to ultimately approve and initiate.
Critics of the plan, however, argue the idea is misguided. There are doubts that clearing brush can increase ground water levels, and there is concern the practice will lead to future soil erosion problems as well as eliminate habitat for endangered birds.
Agency spokesman Aaron Wendt pointed out that the plan does not allow for clear cutting, and proper land management practices will have to be followed.
Smaller brush control programs are already in place in Texas. Three years ago, city council members in Horseshoe Bay approved a plan to clear away the heavy brush that had grown up in that community. The plan was mostly about fire-prevent, but improving ground water availability was also part of the sales pitch to city residents.
Since 2011 when the program started more than 5,000 cedar and dead trees have been cleared from undeveloped lots in Horseshoe Bay. Not only have they reduced the fuel that can increase the wildfire threat, it's believed the project is helping hardwood trees survive like oaks and elms.
Some researchers claim a mature cedar tree can soak up 33 gallons of water a day. The Horseshoe Bay brush removal plan costs about $50,000 a year. Current and former city leaders and residents, like Danny Ferguson, agree the Horseshoe Bay program has been successful.
"I feel like its helped ... we need to conserve all the water we can do, cause we're in a definite drought, said Ferguson.
Grants awards, under the New Water Supply Enhancement Program, may be issued in September. The amount and number after that will be determined by funding that is allocated to the TSSWCB during the next Legislative Session.
The rest is here:
Cedar tree removal program to increase water supply approved
- County Road 157 to Close for Tree Removal, Detour in Effect Thursday and Friday - KNSI - March 26th, 2025 [March 26th, 2025]
- Dominion Energy pauses tree cutting along sections of W&OD Trail amid community concerns - WUSA9.com - March 26th, 2025 [March 26th, 2025]
- Heres whats happening with Olsen Park renovations, Overlook Trail rehab and Depot Park tree removal - Sonoma Index-Tribune - March 26th, 2025 [March 26th, 2025]
- Tree Replanting, End Of Clear Cutting Sought By Vienna Officials - Patch - March 26th, 2025 [March 26th, 2025]
- North 4th Street Closure for Tree Removal on March 25 - Marshall Radio - March 26th, 2025 [March 26th, 2025]
- Not much snow, lots of great performances - ECM Publishers - March 26th, 2025 [March 26th, 2025]
- Tree Removal Begins on Highway 22 Ahead of Summer Construction - Southern Minnesota News - March 26th, 2025 [March 26th, 2025]
- Virginia Beach begins clearing more than 5,000 trees at Pleasure House Point - WHRO - March 26th, 2025 [March 26th, 2025]
- Tree-cutting penalty could reach $9M as CT has 'one of the strongest' laws in US - CT Insider - March 26th, 2025 [March 26th, 2025]
- Community volunteers come together to help Brighton woman remove tree - Yahoo - March 26th, 2025 [March 26th, 2025]
- Biloxi officials weigh on tree protections, Bikin the Coast, Saenger Theatre funding - WLOX - March 26th, 2025 [March 26th, 2025]
- Hibbs and Woods win Athena Awards - ECM Publishers - March 26th, 2025 [March 26th, 2025]
- Tree Warden Issues Decision: Trees on LaSalle Road to be Removed - http://www.we-ha.com - March 26th, 2025 [March 26th, 2025]
- Phils Expert Tree Service Ready to Help Coconut Creek and Coral Springs Homeowners Prepare for Hurricane Season - TAPinto.net - March 26th, 2025 [March 26th, 2025]
- Homeowner raises concerns after HOA demands removal of yard feature: 'These ... absolutely need to be kept alive' - The Cool Down - March 26th, 2025 [March 26th, 2025]
- Atlanta Beltline temporarily exempt from citys rules for removing, replacing trees - The Atlanta Journal Constitution - March 26th, 2025 [March 26th, 2025]
- Homeowner stunned after HOA demands removal of 'beautiful' feature on their property: 'I'm obviously really upset by this news' - The Cool Down - March 26th, 2025 [March 26th, 2025]
- More Than 60 Beacon Hill Trees Will Be Evaluated for Possible Removal - South Seattle Emerald - March 9th, 2025 [March 9th, 2025]
- Volunteers try to save Altadena trees that survived the Eaton Fire - Spectrum News 1 - March 9th, 2025 [March 9th, 2025]
- Court clears the way for removal of Boardwalk Condominiums redwood - My Edmonds News - March 9th, 2025 [March 9th, 2025]
- Neighbors concerned with environmental impact of tree removal along Rio Grande - KOB 4 - March 9th, 2025 [March 9th, 2025]
- Clearing trees to decrease fire risks requires a permit - KSAT San Antonio - March 9th, 2025 [March 9th, 2025]
- Rigid Enforcement of the Citys Tree Code Is a Nightmare for Portlanders - Willamette Week - March 9th, 2025 [March 9th, 2025]
- Severe weather NC | Tree trimming services busy ahead of storm expected to bring wind gusts, heavy rain - ABC11 Raleigh-Durham - March 9th, 2025 [March 9th, 2025]
- Town to remove three trees from Historic Town Square in March - Collierville Herald-Independent - March 9th, 2025 [March 9th, 2025]
- Hendersonville residents can remove Bradford pear trees and get free native tree replacements - BlueRidgeNow.com - March 9th, 2025 [March 9th, 2025]
- Spring Into Action: Avalon Tree Services Offers Expert Tree Care and Removal in Greater Atlanta - openPR - March 9th, 2025 [March 9th, 2025]
- Storm-felled trees raise questions about whose job it is to remove them - KSLA - March 9th, 2025 [March 9th, 2025]
- I bought my first house in Florida. I would've been better off if I'd done these 5 things beforehand. - Business Insider - March 9th, 2025 [March 9th, 2025]
- Neighbourhood war erupts after resident's complaint: 'Ruins the whole outlook' - Yahoo News Australia - March 9th, 2025 [March 9th, 2025]
- Homeowners baffled after HOA demands major alteration to their yard: 'We've been there 5+ years with no issues' - The Cool Down - March 9th, 2025 [March 9th, 2025]
- Part of Southington Township roadway to temporarily close March 12 - WFMJ - March 9th, 2025 [March 9th, 2025]
- In Altadena, fight is on to save trees that survived the fire - Gulf Today - March 9th, 2025 [March 9th, 2025]
- In Altadena, a fight to save the trees that survived the fire - Los Angeles Times - March 9th, 2025 [March 9th, 2025]
- Homeowner dumbfounded after new HOA demands major change to property: 'Do I have any remedies?' - The Cool Down - March 9th, 2025 [March 9th, 2025]
- First appeals to tree preservation ordinance seek other options - Evanston RoundTable - February 16th, 2025 [February 16th, 2025]
- Tree Removal to Begin Along Highway 19 in Marshall Ahead of Reconstruction - Marshall Radio - February 16th, 2025 [February 16th, 2025]
- Portion Of Harmony Church Road To Remain Closed For Tree Project - Patch - February 16th, 2025 [February 16th, 2025]
- Chatfield State Park removing trees by helicopter, nearby residents upset by the noise - FOX 31 Denver - February 16th, 2025 [February 16th, 2025]
- 2/26 Saco River Corridor Commission Public Hearing Notice - Sacopee Valley News - February 16th, 2025 [February 16th, 2025]
- Conservation Commission chastises homeowner for removing 74 trees from property - Hopkinton Independent - February 16th, 2025 [February 16th, 2025]
- Wildlife Refuge to host candlelit walk this weekend - ECM Publishers - February 16th, 2025 [February 16th, 2025]
- Minnesota This Week your statewide e-edition - ECM Publishers - February 16th, 2025 [February 16th, 2025]
- Tree trimmer fell to his death after freak accident on Susquehanna River island - PennLive - December 21st, 2024 [December 21st, 2024]
- Archer Elevator Road to close temporarily for tree removal work - Springfield Herald News - December 21st, 2024 [December 21st, 2024]
- Give Pasadena Trees A Winter Coat Of Protection With Monster Tree Service - Barchart - December 21st, 2024 [December 21st, 2024]
- Why this company says thousands of trees must be removed from Stanley Park - Global News Toronto - December 21st, 2024 [December 21st, 2024]
- Trees Plus LTD Offers Safe and Reliable Tree Removal in Marietta - AccessWire - November 29th, 2024 [November 29th, 2024]
- Tree removal project to close stretch of S. 9th Avenue in Yakima - NBC Right Now - November 29th, 2024 [November 29th, 2024]
- Clemson will give away trees to homeowners affected by Asian longhorned beetle - Clemson News - November 29th, 2024 [November 29th, 2024]
- Them things just kept coming: Florida man survives bee attack, 30-foot fall while tree trimming - WNDU - November 29th, 2024 [November 29th, 2024]
- 'KEPT COMING AT ME': Tree trimmer survives angry swarm of bees, 30-foot fall - WPTV News Channel 5 West Palm - November 29th, 2024 [November 29th, 2024]
- Native American opponents to Brackenridge bond project renew legal fight against tree removal - San Antonio Report - November 29th, 2024 [November 29th, 2024]
- In Pasadenas Bungalow Heaven neighborhood, the fate of a historic oak tree hangs in the balance - The Pasadena Star-News - November 29th, 2024 [November 29th, 2024]
- Eastside families, among 20K still without power, find refuge at City Hall - The Seattle Times - November 29th, 2024 [November 29th, 2024]
- Cranes used to remove large trees from homes as power outages continue in east King County - KOMO News - November 29th, 2024 [November 29th, 2024]
- Canfield comes to the rescue of Helene victims in NC - Youngstown Vindicator - November 29th, 2024 [November 29th, 2024]
- Dead, diseased tree removal project continues in north Rapid City - Rapid City Journal - November 29th, 2024 [November 29th, 2024]
- Palmetto tree removal stirs response from Isle of Palms homeowners - Live 5 News WCSC - November 21st, 2024 [November 21st, 2024]
- Residents fear attack of the trees as aging giants wreak havoc - KTVI Fox 2 St. Louis - November 21st, 2024 [November 21st, 2024]
- Tree trimming overnight road closures on Highway 101 in Monterey County - KSBW Monterey - November 21st, 2024 [November 21st, 2024]
- Montrose organization upset after they say century-old Live Oak Tree was cut down without notice - KPRC Click2Houston - November 21st, 2024 [November 21st, 2024]
- Residents raising concerns with the lack of tree removal on the Natchez Trace - WLBT - November 21st, 2024 [November 21st, 2024]
- Many of those famous eucalyptus trees on Highway 101 are coming down, making the area safer for commuters. - Monterey County Weekly - November 21st, 2024 [November 21st, 2024]
- Tree Removal Case in Sag Harbor Adjourned Until January - 27east.com - November 21st, 2024 [November 21st, 2024]
- Western NC landscaper hit with injunction for allegedly charging $25K to remove trees after Helene - NC Newsline - November 21st, 2024 [November 21st, 2024]
- Tree trimming overnight road closures on Highway 101 in Monterey County - MSN - November 21st, 2024 [November 21st, 2024]
- VIDEO: Palmetto tree removal stirs response from Isle of Palms homeowners - Live 5 News WCSC - November 21st, 2024 [November 21st, 2024]
- Moorestown warehouse plan requires clearing most of the 236 trees on nearly five acres on North Lenola Road. - 70and73.com - November 21st, 2024 [November 21st, 2024]
- Hanging Limbs and Damaged Trees are Being Removed in Missoula - Newstalkkgvo - November 21st, 2024 [November 21st, 2024]
- Springfield's Dorris Ranch to begin final tree removal in multi-year process - KEZI TV - November 21st, 2024 [November 21st, 2024]
- County supervisor boards approve $160,200 joint tree removal project bid - Globe Gazette - November 21st, 2024 [November 21st, 2024]
- Emerald Ash Borer infected trees to be removed in New Ulm - KEYC - November 21st, 2024 [November 21st, 2024]
- Residents fear attack of the trees as aging giants wreak havoc - MSN - November 21st, 2024 [November 21st, 2024]
- Her neighbor's trees were killed by the emerald ash borer. Now they're falling onto her home. - Milwaukee Journal Sentinel - November 21st, 2024 [November 21st, 2024]
- NC Court Halts Price-Gouging by Tree Removal Service After Hurricane Helene - USA Herald - November 21st, 2024 [November 21st, 2024]
- Weller Brothers warns of the danger of falling trees - KELOLAND.com - November 12th, 2024 [November 12th, 2024]
- Hamill Road closed for emergency tree removal - Local 3 News - November 12th, 2024 [November 12th, 2024]
- State Forestry Division Offers Free Assistance to Landowners for Hazard Tree Removal and Erosion Control in South Fork and Salt Fire Areas -... - November 12th, 2024 [November 12th, 2024]
- City closes section of Hamill Road for emergency tree removal - WDEF News 12 - November 12th, 2024 [November 12th, 2024]