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Water district finds a way to build and still save oak trees
By Nathan R. Huff
Tree huggers and shade lovers can rest easy--the Santa Clara Valley Water District is relocating the proposed warehouse at the Rinconada water treatment plant to save nine rare blue oaks on the district's property.
The blue oaks in question are between 10 and 30 feet in height and 20 to 75 years old. The oaks provide habitat for various nesting and song birds, small mammals, reptiles and insects.
The water district is not required by law to get town permits for projects on its own property, but for the often volatile issue of removing trees, the district had to file for a permit with the planning department.
"When we applied for the tree-removal permit," project engineer Donna Collins said, "it came up that these were blue oaks."
The permit was transferred to Los Gatos parks and forestry supervisor John Iaquinto, who sat down with district engineers and came up with a new site for the warehouse. "It was just about working together," Iaquinto said.
The new location is along a service road 100 yards south of Granada Way. District water-quality unit manager Sand Oblonsky said neighbors were satisfied with the original location, but the new site will place the warehouse even farther out of public view.
The district will remove two or three eucalyptus trees at the warehouse site, and 20 more for a nearby chemical storage tank. They will replace the eucalyptuses with between 40 and 50 oak, redwood and other native trees.
The project is part of the district's treated water improvement plan aimed at meeting and exceeding the Environmental Protection Agency's new standards for drinking water, which will go into effect in a few years.
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Best of Los Gatos 1999
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News Briefs
Consultants unveil downtown garage designs
Planners continue North Forty hearing to allow more discussion
Water district finds a way to build, still save rare oaks
Monte Sereno resident mediates neighborhood dispute
Police Report
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Letters
Editorial: North Forty Specific Plan
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Humane Society matches dogs with families
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The Prowler
Yuletide at Montalvo to begin soon
Magical Beginnings prepares for annual butterfly release
'Dance and Music Kaleidoscope II' features international folk dance
Engagement: Mollie Schettler, Erik Orup
Wedding: Jennifer Gaddis, Chris Haas
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Main Street
Picture From the Past
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Aphids, scale insects cause sticky substance on plants
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La Fondue features a variety of dippable foods
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Sports Briefs
Los Gatos field hockey team begins winning streak
Wildcats pull out thriller against Trojans
Cats run to victory over Milpitas frosh-soph
Tigers, Panthers post football victories
Photos: Local soccer teams
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