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Murray Journal

County Officials Say Flood Control Will Balance Safety And Beauty

Nov 06, 2014 12:43PM ● By Peri Kinder
Two conflicting agendas collided in early October as Murray residents in The Willows community, near 5518 South Willow Lane, were up in arms when they learned that Salt Lake County Public Works Flood Control officers were planning to cut down several trees in the area.

The trees scheduled for removal were deemed a hazard, with the potential of blocking Little Cottonwood Creek and causing a flooding danger. Dozens of trees in the Willows community have been cut down during the last several years, and residents hoped the removal was complete. They were angry to hear more trees needed to come down.

Salt Lake County Public Works Director Russ Wall met with residents and devised a compromise he feels will work for both parties.

“We’re working with the community’s arborist. We’ll go through and mark the trees that are hazardous and must be removed immediately,” Wall said. “With other trees, the county will give residents time to look at the ones marked for removal. They can either agree or challenge the ones we’ve marked. But, at the end of the day, our duty is to protect the safety of the owners.”