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Extracted from Consolidated Report
This investigation was originally published as part of a larger consolidated report containing multiple investigations. View the consolidated PDF for the complete document.
San Luis Obispo County Grand Jury
• 2005-2006
OAK Tree Preservation in SAN Luis Obispo County
⚠️ Translation Notice: This content has been automatically translated. The original English text is the official version. Translation may contain errors.
⚠️ Este contenido ha sido traducido automáticamente. El texto original en inglés es la versión oficial. La traducción puede contener errores.
Findings and Recommendations 7 findings
F1
Page 141
Prior to statehood, California contained approximately 18 million acres of oak and hardwood woodlands. Today we have about 9.5 million acres in oak woodlands and about 45% of those are so heavily disturbed that they are not functioning well in an ecological sense.
No recommendations for this finding
F2
Page 141
In the first 100 years after California became a state, developers and ranchers removed 70% of the oaks in the Salinas Valley. Currently, it is estimated that 14,000 acres of oak woodland (60,000 acres of forestland) are eliminated each year in California. Oaks still cover 36% of San Luis Obispo County.
No recommendations for this finding
F3
Page 141
The Native Oak Tree Protection Survey indicated that 76% of the respondents supported the adoption of a native oak protection ordinance.
Related Recommendations (1)
R3
Page 142
Proposed ordinances should be reviewed openly with consensus of stakeholders as the primary goal. (Finding 3)
F4
Page 141
Penalties have not deterred illegal destruction of oaks or oak habitat.
Related Recommendations (1)
R4
Page 142
Sanctions for unnecessary or un-permitted destruction of oaks or oak habitat should be severe enough to deter criminal acts. (Finding 4)
F5
Page 141
Code Enforcement reports there is insufficient staff to investigate the amount and degree of environmental crime.
Related Recommendations (1)
R5
Page 142
The number of Code Enforcement investigators should be increased. (Finding 5)
F6
Page 141
All county staff interviewed favored increased protection of native trees.
No recommendations for this finding
F7
Page 141
Oak trees in California are under siege from development, disease, and demand for firewood.
No recommendations for this finding
Additional Recommendations 2
These recommendations are not explicitly linked to specific findings.
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R1Page 141Protection and preservation of oaks should be mandated by ordinance in any new construction in all unincorporated areas including antiquated subdivisions and single- family homes. (Findings 1, 2, 3, 6 & 7)
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R2Page 141Agricultural lands should not be exempt from the protection and preservation of oaks and protection should be mandated by ordinance. Agricultural lands whose primary activity is cattle grazing should be exempt with an approved management plan. (Findings 1, 2, 3, 6 & 7) Pg 139 of 252