FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 25, 2019
Hazard Tree Removal Program Approved for Trees on Private Property that may Fall on Public Roads
OROVILLE, Calif. – Butte County and the Town of Paradise requested public assistance funds to remove burnt, hazard trees on private property that could fall and affect roads and living areas. The request also asked the State to operate the tree removal program. FEMA informed the California Office of Emergency Services (CalOES) public assistance funding is only approved to remove burnt, hazard trees rooted in private property that could fall and affect public roads and public facilities. FEMA requested additional information related to the request to remove trees that could fall and affect private roads. The request for public assistance to remove burnt, hazard trees that may fall onto the living spaces was not approved.
The County and the Town are working with Cal OES to advocate for public assistance to remove trees that may fall and affect private roads regularly traveled by the general public. The County and the Town also continue to seek grant funding for programs to remove trees that may fall onto living spaces.
The Board of Supervisors and the Town Council will consider urgency ordinances in the coming weeks requiring hazard tree removal on private property where trees may fall and affect the public road right-of-way.
The Government Hazard Tree Removal Program will require property owners to submit a Right-of-Entry (ROE) Form. The County, in coordination with the Town, will open Right-of-Entry Centers in the coming weeks to collect ROEs. More information will be provided soon about which properties are eligible for the Program, ROE Center locations, and information meetings for community members. Visit www.buttecountyrecovers.org and sign up to receive email updates about the Program.
The Government Hazard Tree Removal Program, which is currently approved for properties along public roads, will be available at no out-of-pocket cost to property owners who complete and sign a Tree Right-of-Entry (ROE) form in a similar manner to the debris removal program.