Join us this coming Wednesday as we take a stand against the Omnibus bill, which only makes Seattle's tree code worse.

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Last year, when Seattle’s profit-protection tree ordinance passed, then-city-councilmembers admitted they didn’t understand what its impacts would be and openly wondered if they would have regrets. They promised cleanup legislation if the bill hurt, rather than helped, protect Seattle’s trees.

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We’re still waiting on it.

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The evidence is in: we’ve lost thousands of trees since the ordinance was passed; a much faster rate than before the 2023 ordinance. Next Wednesday, city council members will be presented with the 2024 Omnibus bill, which makes small, technical changes to our building and tree code. 

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The Omnibus bill presented an opportunity to include meaningful legislation that would make Seattle more climate-resilient and livable. Instead, it removes any requirement to replant trees in low-income neighborhoods that have inconsistent zoning with the rest of Seattle. With their vote, council members will solidify their stance on tree protection. We’re asking them to amend or reject it. Let’s remind our elected officials of what Seattleites want: liveable, climate-friendly, affordable cities that work for current and future residents. 

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Join us in-person at city hall, at the steps inside City Hall leading up to the council chambers.

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Suggested Talking Points

Please reject the 2024 Omnibus (CB 120823) as written, because:

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• It reinforces the status quo of a tree ordinance which has fueled the loss of thousands of trees in every neighborhood, including frontline communities. 
• It cements into place the artificially inflated root protection formula which is the go-to provision to justify removing all trees for construction. 
• It states that in communities with Residential Small Lot zoning like South Park, "all trees may be removed when development is proposed." South Park has 12% tree canopy compared to the Seattle average of 28%.

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Can't Join? Send an Email

We’ve created a pre-written email to send to Mayor Bruce Harrell and city councilmembers to let them know that we want a climate-friendly tree ordinance that prioritizes urban nature in frontline communities. Click below to send them an email; and if the template isn’t working, see the pre-written email on our website.

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Email Body

Dear Mayor Harrell and City Council,‍

Please do not pass the 2024 Omnibus (CB 120823) as written.

‍1: It reinforces the status quo of a tree ordinance which has fueled the loss of thousands of trees in every neighborhood, including frontline communities.

2: It cements into place the artificially inflated root protection formula which is the go-to provision to justify removing all trees for construction. 

3: It states that in communities with Residential Small Lot zoning like South Park, "all trees may be removed when development is proposed." South Park has 12% tree canopy compared to the Seattle average of 28%. 

Seattle's current tree ordinance reinforces environmental injustice and continued deforestation of all neighborhoods. Now that we know the extent of its damaging impact, it should be revised, not validated by the current City Council.

Sincerely,

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Address To

• bruce.harrell@seattle.gov
• council@seattle.gov
• cathy.moore@seattle.gov
• dan.strauss@seattle.gov
• joy.hollingsworth@seattle.gov
• maritza.rivera@seattle.gov
• rob.saka@seattle.gov
• robert.kettle@seattle.gov
• sara.nelson@seattle.gov
• tammy.morales@seattle.gov
• tanya.woo@seattle.gov