cc: Residents of Fort Worth

Dear Ms. Hicks-

Re: M&C G-16745:

As your appointee to the now defunct Urban Forestry Board I enthusiastically support a fine with no negotiated settlement for Chesapeake Energy for illegally clear-cutting 231 trees.

For the Fort Worth City Council to even consider this deal justifies my concerns for elimination of the board. The gas drilling ordinance already allows generous exemptions for this industry that have resulted in the tragic loss of thousands of acres of valuable Fort Worth green space.

This action has, at minimum, the appearance of deceit on the part of city staffers who advised and assured UFB members that the trees and green space of Fort Worth would remain well protected by the Tree Ordinance after the UFB duties were transferred to another board.

Further, this action indicates a vital need to reestablish the UFB with strengthened rules. As I stated in my previous letter to you of May 24, 2009, the negative impact of gas production on air quality alone requires the city to go above and beyond what other cities do to protect green space.

Several air quality studies bear out my long-held contention that Fort Worth air quality has been and is being eroded by gas drilling. We need to send a message that no person or corporation is beyond the law.

The spirit of our Tree Ordinance is defiled when we allow arrogant and powerful industries to undermine what we know to be true and just.

Sincerely-

Don Young