SU0013451 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Finally,unwarranted or incorrect pruning of heritage trees could,and in some cases has already occurred, reduce their vigor and visual value. All of these are considered potential significant adverse impacts. Mitigation Measures 4.13-4(a) Incorporateprotective measures for mature native trees into the development construction and finished plans. These should be similar to those outlined in the Buckeye Ranch Management Plan. They should include the enclosing of each native tree within and adjacent to the construction zone with a temporaryfence situated 4 feet outside the edge of the leaf canopy to prevent root zone soil compaction and limb/trunk damage from grading vehicles. Lots and streets situated upslope from oak trees should be designed with gutter systems which will shunt summer surface runoff water away from the root zones of native oaks. Also, sprinkler systems should be installed so that water is not directly applied to the root zone area of these trees. 4.13-4(b) Prohibit the cutting of all or pan of any native tree within as well as outside the developable areas. The one exception would be a weakened limb overhanging structure that could cause damage or present a hazard to residents if it fell. This last item is in opposition to the Buckeye Ranch Management Plan recommendation that an arborist direct the pruning and culling of native oaks along the lines that might be employed in a city park. In a natural area a dead or dying tree is often as valuable to wildlife as a live one, and when these do not directly pose a threat to the well being of the new human residents, they should be allowed to complete their natural cycle. Impact 4.13-5 Human activities could cause potential impacts to the adjacent natural community. Residential development adjacent to a natural community poses several potential impacts for the latter. The present availability of herbicides, especially the translocating types such as "Roundup" and "Cleanup," raise the possibility that sprays of these and others could be carried from the lawn and garden to the natural environment where a very small amount could do significant damage to all naturally occurring plant species. Exotic shrubs and trees may be planted which later "escape" to colonize and out compete native species in the adjacent natural community. The use of outdoor open fire units such as coal or wood burning barbecues, trash burning barrels, and pits within the grassland/woodland habitat complex would pose a continuous threat to the entire natural and human communities if windborn embers should ignite the grassland or woodland understory communities during the long, dry summer period. The introduction of domestic pets such as dogs and cats into the midst of this wildlife community would have a variety of undesirable consequences. Cats are very efficient predators on wild rodents and small birds, and would compete rigorously with natural avian and mammalian predators, including the Swainson's hawk, for these prey items. Dogs,either singly or as a small pack,chase adult deer and often catch and kill fawns. 30