oakhillgazette.com
November 19, 2015 Volume 20, No. 23 Southwest Austin’s Community Newspaper Since 1995
Group calls rally to save Oak Hill trees Over 200 oaks documented, photographed and in the path of Oak Hill Parkway plans by Ann Fowler OAK HILL - According to local residents, more than 200 large oak trees stand to be damaged or lost if the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) moves ahead with the Oak Hill Parkway project as currently designed. Oak Hill resident Gerry Powell has documented and photographed 288 oak trees in the path of proposed expansion of U.S. 290 West and S.H. 71 along Williamson Creek. Save Oak Hill, a grassroots group formed out of concern for the rapid loss of treasured Oak Hill landmarks, has scheduled a rally this Saturday, November 21, to call attention to the endangered oaks.
The surveyed trees, protected by City ordinance, include: • 114 trees in the simple “protected” category of 19 to 24 inches in diameter • 137 trees of the “heritage” category of 24 to 36 inches • 37 of the “legacy” category of 36 inches or more Kelli Reyna, public information officer for the TxDOT Austin District, said, “Ultimately, the determination regarding trees is made by our design. That being said, the Oak Hill Parkway project team is sensitive to the value of the natural environment and the safety of the public. We take See GROUP on p. 22
Hoping for bipartisanship by Penny Levers
Oak Hill resident Gerry Powell has documented and photographed over 200 large oak trees in the path of proposed expansion of U.S. 290 West and S.H. 71 along Williamson Creek. Less than half are shown above.
Veteran Congressman Lamar Smith is hopeful that the change in the leadership would bring more bipartisanship to the House, but said it seems unlikely that the Science Committee he chairs would find much common ground on the issue of climate change anytime soon. District 21 Congressman Lamar Smith (R) hosted an early morning “Fall Forum” last week at the Shady Hollow Community Center. Since the last redistricting which took See CONGRESSMAN on p. 22
Congressman Lamar Smith