A Legislator's "Other" Job

There is more to being a state representative than debating and voting on bills. Part of my responsibility is to help citizens and local governments navigate state bureaucracy, other times it is listening to their comments on a bill. In this case, it meant addressing the concerns of people who are seeking to preserve something they care about deeply.

Many Oregonians interact regularly with the many state agencies that comprise the state bureaucracy. Members of the Legislature have no direct control over these agencies. Nevertheless, we can sometimes lend our influence to move an agency in a slightly different direction.

-The Problem?-
It was recently brought to my attention that three 150+ year-old oak trees near Creswell were facing removal by the Oregon Department of Transportation.

My interest in this issue was piqued when I received a phone call from a concerned resident who lives in the shade of these oaks. As part of the repaving of Cloverdale Road near Creswell, the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) was planning to cut the three trees down. My constituent was very afraid these plans overlooked both the historical value and visual beauty of these trees.

-Why Save These Trees?-
After our conversation, I drove out to Cloverdale Road on the way home from Salem. The oaks are, indeed tall, healthy and beautiful. I understood why the residents along Cloverdale Road were concerned.

Jeff Lanza of the Eugene tree foundation informed us that the trees appear to be between 120 and 200 years of age. Left alone, they may live another 400 years. At this age, the trees may well antedate the town of Creswell, which was incorporated in the 1850's.

-Flawed Logic-
Senator Bill Morrisette and I spoke to ODOT. There was no real evidence that the trees present a problem. Their stated reason for wanting to remove the trees was safety. But, I noted, in the trees' roughly 150 year history, no deaths or injuries have ever occurred due to their proximity to the road. ODOT maintained that the trees are just at the edge of the "fog line" and may be difficult to see. Yet, there was no evidence the trees had ever been hit.

-A Positive Outcome-
Senator Morrisette and I contacted the Governor's Legislative Director, Pat Egan, and ODOT Director, Bruce Warner to plead our case.

Early last week, Mr. Warner informed me that ODOT would hold off on cutting the trees for a couple of weeks while they assessed the situation further.

I was thus very pleased on Friday when the regional director of ODOT stopped by my office to inform me that the trees will be exempted from the Cloverdale repaving project. This means that these majestic oaks will stay right where they are for the time being. I was very glad to hear it.

As a state legislator, I am not always able to solve every problem with a state agency. Through further work with ODOT, we may be able to save these trees for future generations. I'm glad to help.

I wish the state budget could be resolved so quickly. Columbus may arrive before this legislature adjourns.