Pasadena school district and city clash over tree removal

Parents, students and arborists gathered at John Muir High School in Pasadena this week to fight plans to cut down almost 200 trees across the Pasadena Unified School District.

Already, 78 towering trees — some over 100 years old — have been lost, officials said.

The school district approved the tree-cutting plan in mid-June amid concerns about contamination of soil from the Eaton Fire. Testing has found evidence of toxic metals, such as lead, in the soil in some areas.

But the dramatic decision to take out many fully-grown trees providing much-needed shade in order to remediate the soil has caused much confusion and disappointment — and legal action attempting to stop it.

“This entire country has a long history of removing native life. I think it's unfortunate that PUSD is continuing that and … not listening to all the people who support the trees and who want the trees here,” said one high school student who was among the protesters. (LAist is not identifying her because she is underage.) “I have no idea why they're still continuing to go through with it."

The trees being cut down are protected under the Pasadena Tree Ordinance, which aims to preserve the city’s historic canopy by preventing ecological loss. Pasadena representatives attempted to halt the removal, saying the district is violating this law. In order to remove the trees, they need a permit, according to Lisa Derderian, the senior communications coordinator for the city of Pasadena. And the school district doesn’t have that, she said.

The City of Pasadena posted a notice on John Muir High School's front doors to halt the removal of the campuses protected trees.

(

Sammy Marvin

)

A notice was taped to the doors of the high school on Thursday, alerting PUSD to halt their operations. City officials also showed up on campus, but were asked to leave the property by district representatives.

“The last thing we need to do is be losing more trees. We should be retaining and preserving every single one we can,” said protester Jessica Richards, a committee member of the Urban Forestry Advisory Committee.

Richards pointed out that there are alternate methods the school district could explore to replace or cleanse the soil from the fires before chopping the trees down.

The district’s decision to continue with their operations could result in harsh consequences, critics say.

“Fines for what they're doing right now can result in thousands of dollars for continuing operations, plus additional legal implications," Derderian said. "We've made several attempts this morning alone at bringing cooperation via PUSD leadership."

The city is now in contact with their attorneys for next steps. The school district continues to stand its ground, though.

On the district website, it states that: “Contractors working in the 11 fire-related contaminated soil projects have committed to full compliance with all applicable environmental laws and regulations.” The district also says trees will be replaced.

Amid the clash between the city and the school district, protesters did what they could to protect the trees. At John Muir, several people climbed the towering branches of trees targeted for removal and roped themselves to trunks. Some silently sat at the base in protest.

Paloma Muniz-Ochoa, 17, strapped herself to a towering tree on the front lawn of John Muir High School in an attempt to protect her city's beloved canopy.

(

Sammy Marvin

)

Paloma Muniz-Ochoa, 17, was among them. While she was strapped up high in the branches, her mother, Kristen Ochoa, was down below with the other protesters. Like others, she said she understood the importance of preserving an important part of their community.

“I’m not leaving when my daughter’s up in that tree,” Ochoa said. “We’ll be here” to keep protesting.