Save the Dike Road Trees
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Breaking News 12/7 : KEA Files Lawsuit to Protect Dike Road Trees
A tangle of one-size-fits-all federal regulations and a failure of common sense threaten the 500-700 trees lining the dike road which separates the Spokane River and Coeur d’Alene Lake from North Idaho College and the Fort Grounds neighborhood in Coeur d’Alene. A U.S. Army Corps of Engineers inspection in the fall of 2010 faulted the dike for excessive vegetation and has ordered the trees removed by the city before the dike can be re-certified for flood control. Without certification, properties behind the dike will be designated as being in an unprotected flood plain and will face flood insurance problems and development restrictions. The trees, which provide shade, habitat and an aesthetic buffer to the beach and park below, have been growing on the dike for years without any problems.KEA filed a lawsuit in federal court challenging the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers mandate to remove the trees along the Rosenberry Drive (“The Dike Road”) in Coeur d’Alene. The lawsuit alleges that the Corps failed to perform an adequate environmental analysis, and that the Corps is attempting to enforce a memorandum that isn’t actually a law.
Kootenai Environmental Alliance has launched a major grassroots campaign to save the dike road trees. We have a petition campaign calling for the Corps of Engineers to review the policy that requires removal of vegetation from levees nationwide. KEA is also participating in a City-convened task force to review options for protecting the trees on the dike.
How to help:
1. Stay in touch.
Subscribe to the blog, become a fan on a special facebook page set up for the campaign, and sign up for email alerts. We have been posting frequent updates and news on this story.
2. Speak for the trees.
So far, the city of Coeur d’Alene seems committed to doing what it can to save the trees. But whatever they decide to do, it is likely to cost money. Coming up with this money will need to be a priority, and it will only be a priority if we demonstrate strong public support.
3. Donate.
Trees on the dike road are not exactly something we thought we’d ever need to defend. We need your help to supplement our already-tight budget to wage this battle.Dike Tree News:
Breaking News: Court Rejects Corps of Engineers Arguments in Sacramento Levee Trees Case
April 27, 2012 4:23 pm : Dike Road TreesLate today, we were forwarded a copy of issued by a U.S. District Court in California denying the Army Corps of Engineers motion to dismiss a case over levee vegetation in Sacramento. The Court rejected each of the Corps of Engineers arguments to dismiss the case outright. Indeed, the order constitutes a complete rejection of the very same arguments which we were expecting in our more »
[Stuff] The Corps of Engineers Says
March 12, 2012 4:47 pm : Dike Road TreesThis is breaking news, and we are still absorbing the just-received document, but today the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers answered the complaint we filed in federal court to protect the dike road trees. The Corps of Engineers’ Answer to Plaintiff’s Complaint (pdf) is a detailed and formalistic response which will be used primarily to frame the case as it moves to the next phase of more »
Dike Road Trees Petition Gets Non-Reponse From U.S. Army
February 14, 2012 4:46 pm : Dike Road TreesWe just received the lamest of lame responses from the U.S. Army in response to our petitions. Taking cover behind “pending litigation,” U.S. Army Assistant Secretary for Civil Works Jo-Ellen Darcy barely acknowledges our community’s outpouring of support for the dike road trees with a hugely disappointing “I cannot comment further at this time” letter. In its entirety: This is in response to your letter more »
Removing Dike Road Trees Could Cost $1.6 Million
February 7, 2012 8:01 am : Dike Road Trees
Taking a closer look at the impacts of the Corps of Engineers mandate to remove trees from the Rosenberry Drive dike, a local engineering firm was engaged by North Idaho College to review options for the City of Coeur d’Alene. In the review, the firm estimated that the costs of removing trees and roots, and then reconstructing the dike, would cost upwards of $1.6 million. more »
Rep. Labrador’s Office Delivering Dike Road Tree Petitions
January 24, 2012 11:16 am : Dike Road Trees
Courtesy of Rep. Raul Labrador’s office, we received this photo of our local Congressman flipping through the big stack of Dike Road Trees Petitions. Rep. Labrador’s office agreed to carry the petitions to Washington DC to deliver them to Jo-Ellen Darcy, the U.S. Army Assistant Secretary for Civil Works, and here’s photographic proof! We haven’t heard from Secretary Darcy’s office yet, but we certainly hope more »
