Oak Tree Protection Program

Oak Tree Protection Program

The primary objective of the Oak Protection Program is to avoid or prevent large-scale removal of native oak trees without permits and/or environmental review where necessary, and to institute a County goal of no net loss of native oak trees over time. An additional objective is to provide enhanced protection for native deciduous oak trees (predominantly valley and blue oaks), which are in more rapid decline and are more directly threatened by agricultural and urban expansion than native live oak trees. A further objective is to regulate removal in a manner consistent with the County's Agricultural Element, which states in Goal 1 that "Santa Barbara County shall assure and enhance the continuation of agriculture as a major viable production industry in Santa Barbara County. Agriculture shall be encouraged. Where conditions allow, (taking into account environmental impacts) expansion and intensification shall be supported." This means that while protecting oak trees, the regulations should not place undue restrictions on the reasonable use of agricultural land for the production of food and fiber. The Oak Protection Program seeks to achieve that balance.

Santa Barbara

California Department of Fish and Wildlife, South Coast Region 5 (CDFW), California Department of Parks and Recreation, California Department of Transportation, District 5 (DOT), California Native American Heritage Commission (NAHC), California State Lands Commission (SLC), Resources Agency

Agriculture and Forestry Resources, Air Quality, Cultural Resources, Geology/Soils, Hydrology/Water Quality, Biological Resources and Visual Resources