How many trees are being removed along the trail route?

Along the almost 3-mile long Arcade-Cripple Creek Trail Project alignment, there are a total of 629 trees (in both Citrus Heights and Orangevale) within the immediate vicinity of the trail. The overall goal of the project is to preserve as many trees as possible as trees, among other benefits, help to ensure a shaded trail for all to enjoy. However, many trees will require removal due to their existing poor condition.  In addition, other trees will be pruned under the direction of arborists to help preserve and maintain safe walking and biking clearances.  Finally, some trees will require removal due to trail construction.

Pruning:

As part of the overall project, some trees will require pruning. Pruning will remove specific branches or stems in an effort to benefit the health of the entire tree. Removal of dead, damaged and diseased branches prevents insect and other non-beneficial organisms from entering the tree. Thinning a dense canopy on a tree will increase air and sunlight, providing increased health and resulting in fewer tree disease problems.  Pruning trees also helps them grow and mature in a healthy way in an effort to preserve the trees as long as possible.

Removal of Dead or Dying Trees:

Unfortunately, numerous trees along the Arcade-Cripple Creek Trail Project alignmnt have died or are diseased beyond recovery requiring removal for safety purposes.  Some dead trees will be removed, others will remain in place as part of the natural environment and Eco-system.

Removal of Trees for Trail Construction:

During the preliminary engineering and environmental review phase of the project, the City utilized conservative estimates to determine the potential for trees to be removed as part of the project. The purpose of this approach is to allow flexibility in the trail alignment during design.  Although this seems counterintuitive, assuming the worst case scenario allows the city the ability to minimize the environmental impact. By assuming the worst case scenario, the design team is able to fine-tune the trail alignment and design without setting constraints during the conceptual phase.  The ability to meander the trail from the concept allows for the flexibility to develop the best design, using detailed information and minimize tree impacts. 

At the time of the environmental document and conceptual design, a total of 302 trees were identified to be removed as a result of the Arcade-Cripple Creek Trail Project. As part of the 95% design plans, that number has been reduced to 80 protected trees and 41 non-protected trees; a 60% reduction in the original tree removal quantity.  In addition, the design team is working to develop design details to reduce that number even further.

As illustrated below, the environmental document for the Arcade-Cripple Creek Trail Project assumed a wide area of removal; whereas, in actuality, the trail will meander or utilize other design approaches to greatly reduce tree impacts.

EG Trail

The images below illustrate design techniques that will enable preservation of nearby trees. The use of small retaining walls, meandering trail alignment, and narrowing short stretches of trail are examples of opportunities the city is considering during final design.


CHEG Trail EDIT


Any work conducted within the dripline of any tree to remain will be monitored by an arborist to ensure best-practices
are followed to minimize the impact of construction on these trees. 

The project goal is to preserve as many trees as possible. Any trees that are removed will require replacement trees to offset the impact of the project. Replacement trees will be planted along the trail corridor and nearby parks as mitigation. Trees planted as part of mitigation are required to be monitored by an arborist for three years following installation to ensure they are able to thrive.

Show All Answers

1. What is the Arcade-Cripple Creek Trail Project?
2. What is the history of the Arcade-Cripple Creek Trail Project and how did it come about?
3. How does the Arcade-Cripple Creek Trail fit into the regional trail system? Why is the trail ending at Wachtel Way?
4. How will the trail cross Fair Oaks Boulevard? Will a signal be installed?
5. How will use of the existing easement affect my property taxes and my property value?
6. What is an easement? How are you able to install the trail on private property?
7. Who will be responsible for trail maintenance? How will it be maintained? Is the property owner required to maintain the easement now?
8. How does the use of easement affect my ability to keep small farm animals on my property? What about other uses that have minimum lot size requirements?
9. Is the City going to move the fences to the location of the easement? If the trail is only 14' wide, will the city take the whole easement or just what is needed?
10. Who is responsible to install and maintain fencing along the easement? What liability do property owners’ have regarding the fencing?
11. Will the grant pay for neighbor fencing and visual landscape barriers? What type/kind and how tall will it be? How will they be maintained? Will the project pay to replace existing fencing?
12. Who will be responsible to repair fencing if it is vandalized or damaged between my property and the easement?
13. Who is liable if someone is hurt while using the trail within the easement through my property?
14. Will I have to change my insurance on my property to cover this new use?
15. I currently have access to the rear of my property through the easement. Will this change? Will I be able to continue to use the trail as an exit for my RV, deliveries, etc.?
16. Why do you want to go on people's property when you can just use the street? Why can’t the bike path just go along existing streets and not impact properties?
17. This project will create an "alley" behind our house that is much longer than a City block. Is this legal? The length between access points creates a safety issue.
18. I heard there was a lawsuit from the 1980s related to easements that are included as part of this project. What was that about?
19. How does easement law pertain to our properties? What liability do property owners have through the easement?
20. How will the trail installation affect drainage on the adjacent properties?
21. Where will people park to access trails at Wachtel and Villa Oak?
22. What will be the width of each of the facilities through the easement (equestrian, bicycle, pedestrian)? What material will be provided for equestrian use?
23. Where can we find a copy of the Creek Corridor Trail Feasibility Study document?
24. Who will be responsible for dog waste pickup?
25. What % of the overall funding is coming from the City's general fund?
26. How many trees are being removed along the trail route?
27. What about the oak trees? Are you protecting them or taking them out? What if there are some trees we would like to remove?
28. What security measures will be installed?
29. Why not use this money to fix city roads?
30. What is the project timeline and next steps?
31. Will the trail be able to handle emergency vehicles but be blocked by bollards to keep cars out?
32. Will this be patrolled by police?
33. Is this trail being installed no matter what?
34. Will lighting be installed along the trail? Will lighting within the parks be improved? Will it turn off at a certain time? Will trail lighting spill into my backyard and house?
35. It seems like this trail will encourage homeless to use the trail. How will the City address this issue?
36. Why is a new bridge required in Sundance Natural Area?
37. Is rock slope protection needed in Arcade Creek at Sundance Natural Area? Why?
38. Will the trail be open 24/7?
39. Why is a signal going to be installed at Fair Oaks Blvd? This will just increase traffic on that road and there is already too much traffic.
40. Have additional questions?