Water quality project requires tree removal

Sometimes the environment itself stands in the way of environmental improvements.

Spectrum Underground, a Sarasota County contractor, recently discovered two laurel oak trees, one live oak tree and a cabbage palm south of Morrill Street that must be removed as part of the Hudson Bayou water quality improvements, according Project Manager Paul Semenec. The trees, which sit on the east end of a county parking lot, were not originally slated for removal.

The contractor has applied for a tree permit from the city of Sarasota to continue the $1.4 million project, which is intended to aid filtration of polluted runoff that flows into Hudson Bayou, and will be required to replace the trees following completion.

The trees should be removed some time in the next two weeks, Semenec said.

Contact Alex Mahadevan at [email protected].