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Killer
Trees of the Texas Panhandle
and The
Noble Quest for a "Forgiving Roadside"
Editorial by John Troesser |  |
According
to an old story, the wife of the first Texas State Forester was taking a train
through West Texas to join her husband who had already taken his position in East
Texas. After mentioning her husband’s new position to a fellow passenger, the
passenger looked out at the passing landscape and said something to the effect
of: “Lady, Texas doesn’t need a State Forester." He then added: "- or else it
needs one real bad.”
A recent
letter to the editor of the Pampa News (Online) got our attention. The letter
was from TxDOT Amarillo District Engineer Mark E. Tomlinson. In the letter Mr.
Tomlinson addresses the “proposed tree removal project on U.S. 60 and U.S. 83
in Hemphill, Roberts, Ochiltree, Carson, Gray and Lipscomb counties.”
Mr. Tomlinson offered these eye-opening statistics:
“From 1992 to 2001, 303
fixed object crashes [on the highways mentioned above] were recorded. These crashes
resulted in eight fatalities and 203 injuries. Seven of the fatalities and 11
of the injuries were tree-related.”
Our curiosity forces us to ask the
question: Has anyone has recorded how many of these “tree-related” fatalities
were beverage alcohol-related. With five counties involved, seven fatalities in
nine years - that about equals the carnage that occurs on an average “safe” Houston
intersection.
Mr. Tomlinson then uses understated comedy to make his
point:
“While trees are often visually pleasing, they are also extremely solid
objects.” |
“Beauty
through contest sensitive design”
Engineer Tomlinson goes on to
say:
“I hope you know that we do not suggest a project of this (sic) lightly.”
TxDOT has, for many years, been a leader in creating roadside beauty through the
planting of numerous trees, shrubs and other plant material. We also work diligently
to preserve existing beauty through contest sensitive design and good maintenance
practices. We actively manage this land to preserve its beauty and usefulness
through sound environmental stewardship. We take this responsibility very seriously."
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The
Old Dilemma of the Interlaced Fundamental Mission VS Factoring In Sound Practices
Continuing to quote from Mr. Tomlinson's letter: "As it is with
many things in life, though, there are other needs and priorities to be considered
as well. Striking a balance between these potentially conflicting issues is one
of the most difficult things we do. Interlaced through this is our fundamental
mission to serve the people of Texas and others who use our highways. Therefore,
we listen closely to people's opinions and concerns and work diligently to address
these in our projects and operations. We also factor in sound engineering practice
and experience to ensure the creation and maintenance of the safest, most effective
transportation system possible." |
Reader, please
stay alert.
"In this case, we are very concerned about safety
on U.S. 60 and U.S. 83. We believe these numbers are significant and that we need
to develop a project that addresses these fixed object crashes. For decades, TxDOT
has worked toward providing a "forgiving roadside" on our highways. Approximately
one third of all highway fatalities are associated with single vehicle, run-off-the-road
crashes. We cannot predict precisely where these vehicles will leave the road
and cannot control the causes for the departures. Therefore, it is vitally important
that the roadside be free of fixed objects. This concept has been incorporated
into our Roadway Design Manual and is required whenever we undertake roadway rehabilitation
or expense."
"We are also considering the feasibility of transplanting
some trees and possibly planting new trees in safe areas."
Note: Cutting
down mature trees that have managed to grow in a harsh environment and replace
them with struggling transplanted trees that require at least some initial maintenance
(including watering) is not an equal proposition. Transplanting trees is not as
simple as it sounds - especially in Panhandle soil.
Mr. Tomlinson
has given a “tentative letting date" of October 2005 and concludes his letter
with: "In the interim, if you should have any questions or need additional information,
please contact me at (806) 356-3201. |
TxDoT
departments range from engineering to litter control to promoting tourism, traffic
counts, mapping, prairie dog poisoning, guardrail repair, etc. It is our hope
that TxDoT doesn't take on the additional responsibility of tree removal, especially
in the Panhandle where they may have to import chainsaws from East Texas.
Editorials are only made by fools like me;
but only God can make a "visually
pleasing, extremely solid object." | | |
