October 30, 2024 Planning Board Special Meeting Transcript - WEHI

11/06/2024 03:21:43 PM Page 149 to 152 of 203 38 of 80 sheets 149 on the original tree survey, which statistically showed1 density of tree growth per acre in the area in a ring.2 What I did was take the highest density of tree growth3 per acre, especially when first looking at it -- sorry.4 Looking at the disturbed area to show the maximum5 potential loss of trees. However, as a matter of equity6 I had to use then that same calculation, which is what I7 did when calculating the credit per acre of area fenced8 and the reason that I did that, as I stated, is to9 enhance and encourage more acreage being deer fenced to10 encourage greater forest growth. Because there is a11 cost factor to each acre of that deer fencing going in.12 And that, I don't have an exact cost because there is no13 exact estimate in front of us from a fence company, so14 we don't know the cost, but I know it to be expensive.15 So the idea was, hey, I want to encourage you to do more16 deer fencing to allow for forest growth. I am pleased,17 especially in the steep slope area for a lot of reasons.18 One, more plants, as I stated, absorb more water,19 therefore I use the 212 for that as well.20 THE PUBLIC: Okay.21 So I'll come back to part of that. But22 wouldn't that then be the assumption that all the other23 trees are going to die?24 THE WITNESS: No.25 150 THE PUBLIC: Well, if you're giving credit1 for the exact number of trees that are there already,2 right? You're saying, I understand it's statistical, I3 get that. So you're saying that you're just giving4 credit for the exact trees that are there?5 THE WITNESS: I'm giving credit for the trees6 that currently exist, yes.7 THE PUBLIC: Yeah. So then the other8 assumption is every other trees going to die. So9 instead of saying they're getting credit for --10 THE WITNESS: I'm sorry, I don't understand11 what you mean by that assumptions?12 THE PUBLIC: If your only getting credit for13 trees that exist in the deer fence that means all the14 other trees are going to die.15 THE WITNESS: No. This is a --16 THE PUBLIC: If you're giving them credit17 for that, you're giving extra credit for trees that are18 there.19 THE WITNESS: Okay. I think I see the20 question and I think I see the cross here and I'll try21 to answer best I can.22 THE PUBLIC: Please.23 THE WITNESS: Using the credit for trees in24 the fenced area is to say I'm giving you the

e the20 question and I think I see the cross here and I'll try21 to answer best I can.22 THE PUBLIC: Please.23 THE WITNESS: Using the credit for trees in24 the fenced area is to say I'm giving you the equivalent25 151 as if you planted. In this area, that is in the white1 or disturbed area, we're saying, again, using 212 trees2 per acre, that there's a good likelihood that all these3 trees that currently exist in there are going to come4 out. We don't know they all will yet, but I'm going to5 say they are for purposes of saying the highest number6 of trees that can be removed. That does not mean that7 these trees in this ugly green that I selected are going8 to die, it simply means I'm not giving them credit for9 it which in theory I could have in the negotiation but I10 don't, I only give them credit for the area here. I'm11 not saying these trees are going to die. These trees12 have as good a likelihood of living as any other tree in13 town. But there's -- so I'm not presuming they're going14 to die. I hope they don't die.15 THE PUBLIC: But you are because you're16 giving them credit against trees being cut down. So17 you're giving them double credit in areas that the deer18 fence is. So you're saying -- so mathematically you're19 basically saying there's twice as many trees in that20 area there than anywhere else?21 THE WITNESS: No, I'm saying there is the22 same density of trees -- in the calculation what the23 conclusion is, is that the same density of trees exist24 here as exists here. Ergo giving credit for every25 152 density of tree here for every acre of 212 trees if you1 deer fence it to offset the 212 trees per acre that I'm2 saying you're going to cut down to build this building3 or these buildings.4 THE PUBLIC: But giving credit for trees5 that already exist does not offset trees being cut down?6 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: Sir, I'm going to stop7 this.8 THE PUBLIC: How does -- I will ask it as a9 question.10 How do trees -- how does giving credit11 offset trees being cut down?12 THE WITNESS: Good question. The answer is13 that we know I'm not getting regeneration in this14 forest. So to maximize regeneration of the forest,15 which will, from my hypothesis and we hope to be as I've16 observed in other areas, if the deer allow it we will17 see tree growth spreading into these other undisturbed18 areas as this area becomes more densely populated. It19 is a

nd we hope to be as I've16 observed in other areas, if the deer allow it we will17 see tree growth spreading into these other undisturbed18 areas as this area becomes more densely populated. It19 is a negotiating tool to encourage the installation of20 high cost fencing by giving that credit. Otherwise all21 I would say is, all right, maybe I would put more trees22 in here which does nothing to help the forest overall.23 THE PUBLIC: So then how long would it take24 for the growth to, in the, the undergrowth to offset the25