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:
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 »
If there’s one thing we notice in the KEA office, it is that the days on the calendar keep flying at us. Every day is a new challenge. In the brief respite afforded by a slightly less frantic holiday week, here is a compilation of things we’ll be watching as the new year unfolds. 1. Dike Road Trees — At some point in 2012, we’re more »
Today, Kootenai Environmental Alliance 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. The Gonzaga University School of more »
Rep. Labrador’s Office to Deliver Dike Road Trees Petition
November 29, 2011 1:34 pm : blog, Dike Road Trees, KEAWith the generous assistance of our local Congressman, the dike road tree petitions are on their way to Washington DC. This morning, Adrienne and I delivered the stack of signatures to Rep. Raul Labrador’s Coeur d’Alene office. The Congerssman’s staff says they will take it from here. Our petition is directed at Hon. Jo-Ellen Darcy, the U.S. Army Assistant Secretary for Civil Works, whose office more »
