Letter: Project's first phase features hazard tree removal

Dear Editor:

The City of Libby has received $65,000 in grant money from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. This money is specifically for the creation of jobs in Libby related to urban forestry.

Projects included in this grant will be hazard tree removal, tree pruning, tree planting and installation of irrigation systems at three schools.

The first phase of this project is the removal of various hazard trees around town. These trees have been chosen by a representative of the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation and are marked with orange flagging. These trees are being removed for the safety of the community and will be replaced if possible.

The city will also be removing other non-hazard trees because of sidewalks and sewer problems, and esthetic value for replanting next year with this stimulus grant. This includes topless spruce trees remaining from the 1997 microburst.

If you think that you may have a hazard tree growing on public right-of-way near your home, please contact us with an address and we will examine the tree. If you have any comments to make on any of the marked trees, please feel free to call (293-8419).

Vicky Lawrence

Libby