PG&E responds to community concerns, Folsom tree removal project halted

The last four days it has been much ado about trees in the City of Folsom as the community expressed concerns over a proposed project by Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E), that entails the removal of several trees near a popular trail and park. Friday morning, the utility company announced it is putting the project on hold. After failing to appear at Tuesday's City Council Meeting to discuss the project and listen to concerned residents, PG&E abruptly announced Thursday afternoon they would move forwad with the project as early as next week. The utility cited the project was, "part of its wildfire prevention efforts," and that the trees, "could come into contact with lines and create safety hazards," according to the announcement they sent to local media and city officials. Since the announcement the work was moving forward, residents and city officials alike have continues to speak out in regards to the lack of community engagement put forth by PG&E, culminating with the company's late cancellation of their scheduled forum at Tuesday's meeting, at which numerous residents attended to share their concerns. "We are listening to the concerns expressed by the City of Folsom. We are pausing our work in Folsom addressing vegetation along the Oak Parkway Trail and Cummings Family Park public recreation areas in order to continue the conversation with community stakeholders," said PG&E's Megan McFarland, in a statement Friday morning, announcing that the project is now on hold. "Our vegetation work is focused on maintaining clearance from powerlines and reducing the potential for wildfire risk for the safety of our customers and communities." As detailed in previous Folsom Telegraph coverage, the trees are located on PG&E property, private property, and on City of Folsom property along the Oak Parkway Trail and Cummings Family Park, public recreation areas. Event hough they were not present Tuesday night, councilmembers moved forward with discussing the project with community members that attended, and sharing their displeasure with PG&E's lack of engagement with the community. "They're not being very reasonable. They're being completely unresponsive," said council member Kerry Howell. "PG&E is uniquely authorized to do this work within those rights-of-ways," explained Mayor Mike Koslowski. "The city does not have authority over PG&E in this particular instance." Former city attorney Bruce Cline said he could find no laws that say PG&E should cut down trees instead of trimming.A petition with more than 200 signatures against the PG&E plan was submitted. Fire Chief Ken Cusano spoke Tuesday night and said he "doesn't believe" any oak trees are a fire hazard in the area. "It's not the mature oaks that are a fire hazard," said Cusano. PG&E cited they were unable to attend Tuesday night's meeting because all of their representatives were responding to the storm, that arrived on Friday night and had cleared the area by Monday. Due to the absence, council took no immediate action Tuesday night but directed staff to write a strongly-worded letter to PG&E asking for explanation of tree decisions. Cline and council members suggested a possible emergency council meeting later to adopt an "emergency ordinance" to stop PG&E and protect oaks. "PG&E has a right to do this work, but it's very frustrating they won't give us any details," said the mayor. Kozlowski also said PG&E has a chance to "look like heroes" instead of the "demolition team." At this this time, PG&E and the City of Folsom have not announced a future date in which the utility may return to city hall to answer the community's concerns. Those that have questions about the project can call 530-889-3171. Folsom Telegraph City Council reporter J.D. Hawkes contributed to this updated article.