Tree and vegetation removal from the Marine Drive hillside last week was the continuatio
n of a project launched in the spring, aimed at “maintaining slope stability,” according to city staff.
Several trees along the area known as White Rock’s ‘hump’ were cut down, prompting upset residents to call Peace Arch News, at least one of whom was worried about the fate of the ‘eagle tree’ at the crest of the hill.
The city’s director of engineering and municipal services told PAN the work is part of the same hillside-stabilization project that launched in May – which faced backlash from angry residents – focusing on “maintaining slope stability, increasing line of sight and eradicating invasive species.”
“The work started on the west side and is now working easterly,” Greg St. Louis said, noting there was a hiatus in the work while the city contractors co-ordinated with Burlington Northern Santa Fe’s railway schedule.
A city spokesperson told PAN last week that the ‘eagle tree’ – a large conifer that is known to attract bald eagles – will not be removed.