FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 12, 2007

Contact:    Tom Talbot, (970) 477-3509
Town of Vail Vail Fire Department Wildland Coordinator

VAIL TOWN COUNCIL TO CONSIDER AMENDMENT TO TREE REMOVAL REQUIREMENT TO
REDUCE WILDFIRE HAZARD

(Vail)-The Vail Town Council will consider amending the Vail Town Code
as it relates to the removal of dead and infested trees at its Oct. 16
evening meeting, which begins at 6 p.m. The consideration will follow a
work session discussion scheduled earlier in the day. The amendments
would require removal of beetle infested and dead trees, or an
acceptable plan for the removal of the trees to be submitted, when the
trees are determined to be a wildfire fuel hazard by the town within 10
days of notification. Trees not removed within 10 days, may be removed
by the town with twice the costs charged back to the property owner,
according to the proposed changes. The current ordinance focuses on
preventing the spread of the mountain pine beetle and the reduction of
potential fire fuels via the destruction or removal of infested trees.

This year's community survey respondents ranked "addressing the pine
beetle infestation" and "enforcement of requirements for private
property owners to remove beetle-killed trees" as top issues important
to Vail's future. According to Vail Fire Department Wildland Coordinator
Tom Talbot, the modifications will allow the town to focus on removal of
dead trees, whether infested by pine beetles or from other causes, in an
effort to prevent property damage during wildfires. "We want to let
property owners know that leaving dead trees on their property can
increase the potential for property damage during a wildfire," said
Talbot. "These measures will help the town encourage removal of dead
trees while creating a defensible space around property to make it
easier for firefighters to protect if a wildfire were to occur. It has
the potential to be a win-win situation for the town and the property
owner."

Additionally, per Vail Town Code, homeowners wishing to cut trees will
continue to need town approval. Applications to remove dead and dying
trees are available at the Town of Vail Community Development Department
or on the town's web site at www.vailgov.com. There is no application
fee to remove dead trees, but homeowners may be required to plant new
vegetation. Most applications are reviewed within 24 hours. For details,
the Town Code is available on the web site.

According to Talbot, homeowners who are unsure if they have infested or
dead trees on their property should call the town's Pine Beetle Hotline
at 477-3509 to schedule a free pine beetle and defensible space
assessment with the fire department. After an assessment is made the
fire department will work with property owners to find solutions to help
with mitigation efforts.

Citizens unable to attend the meeting or who wish to share their
comments in advance can contact the Vail Town Council at 479-1860 or
towncouncil@vailgov.com.

For more information, contact Talbot at 477-3509.

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Town of Vail
75 S. Frontage Rd
Vail, CO 81657
US
Phone: (970) 479-2100
Toll Free: (866) 650-9020

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