Originally published Thursday, February 26, 2009 at 12:00 AM

Suit threatened over levee trees

Environmentalists are threatening to sue the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers over its policy of requiring trees growing on levees around Puget Sound to be cut down.

Seattle Times staff and newswires

Puget Sound

Environmentalists are threatening to sue the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers over its policy of requiring trees growing on levees around Puget Sound to be cut down.

The Corps is breaking the law by failing to find out whether its policy complies with Endangered Species Act for federally protected Puget Sound salmon, according to American Rivers.

The threatened lawsuit comes amid a debate between King County and the Corps over whether trees belong on levees.

King County has sought to keep some trees, arguing partly that they help salmon by creating more shade that keeps streams cool.

The Corps, citing federal safety standards, has said trees need to go before it will spend federal money on levee repairs.

A Corps spokeswoman, Patricia Graesser, said she hadn't seen the environmentalist's legal filing and couldn't comment.

More Local News headlines...

E-mail article Print view Share: Digg Newsvine

Comments

There are several reasons why trees are not allowed on levees - (1) tree roots will be attracted to the water source, i.e. the river and provide a... Posted on February 26, 2009 at 7:33 AM by GorgeClimber. Jump to comment

This shouldn't be cast as a fish vs. public safety issue. Trees do in fact help stabilize soils and streambanks, while providing crucial... Posted on February 26, 2009 at 9:15 AM by FYI. Jump to comment

I'd think the reason the Crops would be worried about trees is that they could damage the levee if they tipped over (e.g. in the wind). ... Posted on February 26, 2009 at 8:07 AM by A_Forester. Jump to comment

Read all comments / Share your thoughts