COUNTYWIDE : Tree-Protection Ordinance Extended

A temporary ordinance to protect oak, sycamore and other large and historically significant trees will be extended until April, 1992, to allow county staff members time to draft a permanent law, the Ventura County Board of Supervisors decided Tuesday.

The ordinance, proposed by Supervisor Vicky Howard of Simi Valley, was adopted in April on a 45-day emergency basis.

Todd Collart, a division manager for the county Planning Department, said the ordinance needs to be extended until April to give his staff time to draft the permanent law.

The law requires landowners to apply for a permit before cutting or removing the trees. Violators of the law can face one year in jail and a fine of $1,000 for every offense. The law provides for appeals and exceptions. Collart said his department has granted two permits since the temporary law was adopted.

The law was designed specifically to protect older oak and sycamore trees, but also includes any tree with a circumference of 90 or more inches and any tree identified by the county as a landmark.

The law would only protect trees on private and public lands in the unincorporated county areas.