See what your neighbors think in Community Views Published Tuesday, February 25, 2003 The saga of the Rancho Murieta Airport trees continues. On Tuesday, the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors agreed to split with the airport’s owners the $6,500 cost of an initial environmental study to remove or trim the trees. The supervisors patiently argued the county’s budget woes to Arthur J. Negrette, counsel for the airport, who insisted that the county pay for all the environmental impact costs associated with the trees because the trees are on county property. The county is in a budget crisis, the board told Negrette. The trimming or removal of the trees, which existed at the time the airport was built in the 1970s, benefits the airport, not the county, the supervisors and county counsel observed. Caltrans has admitted making a mistake in issuing the airport’s night operations permit without addressing the tree issue in the first place, said County Counsel Robert Ryan.

Previous coverage • County staff told to cut trees to help RM Airport regain night operations (February 5, 2003) • Don't cut down trees near RM Airport, county report recommends (January 23, 2003) • Airport cuts down 20 trees near runway and awaits county decision on 20 more (August 18, 2002) • County orders 10 trees removed at airport -- and saves daytime flight operations (May 1, 2002) • State says airport trees must be cut by May 31 or all flights will be halted (April 26, 2002) • Airport oaks face ax (April 11, 2002)

The initial study is expected to show what environmental studies and mitigation will be required to trim or remove about 50 trees on county parkland adjoining the airport.

The airport is facing the permanent loss of its night operations permit if the tree issue is not addressed. A hearing on the permanent revocation of the airport’s night operations permit is scheduled for March 24, Negrette said. The permit was suspended by Caltrans almost two years ago because of the tree issue.

The county report is expected in about 60 days.

On the basis of an on-site inspection performed by the county parks department, the environmental issues aren’t likely to be easily resolved. The trees are surrounded by elderberry bushes which provide habitat for an endangered species of beetle. The trees themselves may contain some Swainson’s hawk nests. The hawks are also an endangered species.

The county’s hesitation -- partly due to the possibility of untold expenses connected with environmental issues and hearings -- triggered impatience in Negrette and the airport supporters in the audience. Several airport users spoke in favor of getting the project moving quickly as others murmured in agreement. About a dozen people connected with the airport attended the session.

Supervisor Don Nottoli said he had received a letter from one person objecting to the tree project. More opposition could be expected when an environmental document was released, he said.

The airport is owned by the estate of the late businessman Fred Anderson.

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