Board seeks input
The Sehome Hill Arboretum Board of Governors is seeking comment on a proposal to remove some trees and branches that are blocking views from the observation tower on top of Sehome Hill.
A public open house to review the view restoration proposal is planned for Nov. 8. Comments on the proposal may be submitted through Nov. 15.
The Sehome Hill Arboretum is a combination of land owned by the City of Bellingham and Western Washington University, jointly managed by the Sehome Hill Arboretum Board of Governors . A master plan for the Arboretum was first adopted in 1978, updated in 2002 and adopted by City Council in 2004. The master plan calls for tree and vegetation pruning and removal to restore and preserve the panoramic views from the observation tower.
The current proposal is to re-establish view corridors by removing mostly alders and maples and pruning selected conifers. Crews will work on foot and use chainsaws rather than larger equipment, to help reduce the disturbance of the soil and other vegetation. The trees will be chipped or cut up in small pieces and left on the site. To help maintain the cleared view corridors, low-growing native shrubs will be encouraged and planted. Some trees will be allowed to become snags to enhance wildlife habitat.
Sehome Hill has a long history of use. It was logged in the late 1800's creating spectacular views of Mt. Baker, Bellingham Bay, Canadian Coast Range, San Juan Islands and downtown Bellingham. In 1982, an observation tower was constructed on top of the hill to further enhance the view. Some clearing has occurred to maintain the view from the tower, but in the last few years the trees have mostly obscured the view.
Today the Arboretum includes 175 acres of forested open space with parking, trails and an observation tower. For more information about the Sehome Hill Arboretum and this project, please visit the City website at www.cob.org .
###
Media Contact:
Marvin Harris, Park Operations Manager
Parks and Recreation Department
360-778-7100
mharris@cob.org
