The National Park Service’s current Rock Creek Golf Course “rehabilitation” plan is a $35 million abomination.
NPS’ current plan cuts down more than 1,200 trees. This is the equivalent of 8 acres of forest or a whole city block full of trees.
119 of these trees are over 100 inches in circumference and 31 inches in diameter, deeming them Heritage Trees and thus have special protections under law.
The plan includes new, bright, artificial lighting for an expanded clubhouse and 50-bay driving range. This new artificial lighting disrupts wildlife, damages human health, wastes money and energy, and contributes to climate change.
NPS’ plan fattens the pocketbooks of wealthy golf course managers at the expense of our health, our climate, and the well-being of our ecosystem.
The National Park Service’s plan contributes to climate chaos.
Trees sequester carbon. They take carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere, helping reduce the overall concentration of greenhouse gasses that are warming our planet.
The National Park Service plans to cut 1,200 trees, over 100 of which are very large Heritage Trees. This will release a significant amount of carbon into the atmosphere, directly contributing to climate chaos.
NPS’ mitigation plan, to plant new trees in place of the ones they cut down, will take decades to replace the climate mitigation abilities of the trees they are cutting down now.
Mature trees are more resilient than young trees and thus more likely to survive extreme weather events and a changing climate. As we experience more severe weather such as heat waves and storms, it is crucial to keep mature trees in their place so they can help us weather the storms.
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