Port Townsend’s reasons for destroying the poplar corridor into and out of downtown are not compelling.
Let’s debunk some of the reasons given for this waste of taxpayer money:
• Poplars fall easily.
The few gaps or re-plantings among the trees belie this: after the horrendous Nov. 29 storm, I saw only one small poplar down.
Let’s see some statistics.
There is no guarantee that new trees planted won’t fall, given the fierce winds through there.
Certainly, evergreens would be much more vulnerable, since they retain full foliage during the windier seasons.
• Provide land for boat haven expansion.
The port hopes to add a thin 1-acre strip, hardly sufficient reason to sacrifice the trees.
Further, the city’s property line maps show state Highway 20’s right-of-way running adjacent to the trees with a setback to the port’s fence.
That land allocation won’t change, unless the port wrests land from Washington State Department of Transportation, which is unlikely.
• Put utilities underground.
This does not require felling the trees. There are other options, like trenchless drilling near the roadway edge or under the bike lane.
• Remove non-native trees.
Poplars have been planted all over Port Townsend as effective windbreaks.
These poplars have lined Sims Way for decades.
Are they going to go after all poplars, and other non-native species, around the city, including ornamental maples?
This argument is disingenuous.
Almost $2 million of scarce local public funds, $370,000 from the city, on a completely discretionary project?
We have much more pressing problems, like homelessness and potholes.
Fred Nussbaum
Port Townsend