Save the Walnut Trees

Last week, a homeowner on the 600 block of J Street in Centralia’s Edison district, observed workers measuring the 100 (+) year old walnut trees adjacent to her property. Upon inquiring about their activities, she learned that the city of Centralia intends to cut down her two trees to widen the roadway along J Street in Centralia, Washington. After spending the afternoon contacting various departments and officials, she was unable to confirm either an order to remove the trees or a work notice regarding the construction.

Part of Edison district’s charm is the myriad trees lining many of its streets. They serve as habitat to countless birds,squirrels, and other species, stabilize the soil, and provide beauty to the surrounding area. Clearly, these walnut trees are valuable assets to the city. Yet the homeowner was never even officially informed of the city's plans to cut them down- she just happened to see a construction worker outside of her house, measuring the tree, and asked what they were doing. Though road verges are city property, homeowners are required to care for them. If a plant on the road verge blocks a stop sign, for instance, the homeowner is the one who gets the fine. If the trees are removed without giving homeowners warning, other Edison residents have no guarantee the same couldn’t happen to them.

In addition, widening the road would likely result in a significant increase of traffic to the neighborhood, to ease congestion on Main Street. Residents with homes on First Street and connecting streets (zoned for residential) have reported heavy traffic since the recent street work on Yew, Mellen, and Main Streets were completed, although early objections to the project were denied. Further development that detours heavy traffic into the Edison neighborhood would endanger local children. It should be noted that the block where the walnut trees face removal is within a school zone, and the safety of children crossing First street to attend school is a concern.

We, the citizens of Centralia whose signatures are found below, request that the city inform the public of plans to widen J Street in the Edison neighborhood, and that homeowners are both notified by city in a timely fashion before trees are removed, and given the opportunity to give input via survey or a public hearing.The city should consider the input of its citizens before making changes to land they are required, by the city, to maintain.