PG&E contractors cut down trees on private property in Napa County in accordance to the utility's Enhanced Vegetation Management program, which is responsible for the downing of countless trees across our region and must stop. Photo: Beth Brown.

On May 17, the Mendocino County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a letter to Gov. Gavin Newsom and the Office of Energy Infrastructure Safety asking for a moratorium on PG&E's Enhanced Vegetation Management Program.

The letter states that though PG&E claims tree removal—as part of its EVM program—is part of its fire suppression strategy, the utility has not made clear the criteria for removal, nor is there a clear description of landowner rights for trees marked for removal on private property.

Though a specific number is unknown, PG&E has been cutting down a massive amount of trees on public and private property across our region and beyond as part of its EVM program. This letter is the first in our region for a municipal jurisdiction to posture against the practice.

Redwood Chapter and its forest committee have been sounding the alarm about this program for more than a year. The letter references a white paper written by the Sierra Club's Utility Wildfire Protection Task Force.

The county's letter also mentions that two of PG&E's techniques directly contradict the advice of CalFire regarding vegetation management for fire reduction. One is discouraging tree removal, as it prompts grass and brush growth and soil warming, which results in higher fire danger. A second is CalFire recommends against topping trees around power lines, which results in excess growth on the tree top and/or a weakened tree and higher fire danger. 

Finally, the county asks for an ending to the EVM program altogether until the utility can provide details and a thorough explanation for its practices. The county wants answers about exploring of alternative approaches to wildfire safety other than removing trees, the delineation of landowner rights and the criteria for cutting down trees, why PG&E has not upgraded its infrastructure, which as caused many of the wildfires, and what is a plan for replanting the downed trees to address carbon sequestration.

"It is time to stop PG&E’s Enhanced Vegetation Management (EVM) Program in Mendocino County, until we have answers," the letter concludes.

Redwood Chapter urges more jurisdictions to sign on and demand PG&E stop its egregious and short-sighted EVM program before there are no more trees left standing. Please reach out for more information on how to get your local city or county involved in this.