Where Things Stand Right Now - 19 of 195 Trees Gone

The California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) is overseeing soil remediation work at 11 Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD) sites due to contamination with metals. As part of that work, they have been removing trees from school grounds - an irreversible action the community was not meaningfully consulted on before it began. Over 400 residents have contacted DTSC demanding that the planned 195 tree removals stop immediately. Our community has formally challenged the project's Notice of Exemption (NOE) under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), as well as DTSC's compliance with its own public participation requirements, which mandate proper notice, community meetings, and a response to public comments before irreversible actions are taken. Legal options, including an emergency injunction, are being actively explored. Tree removal is continuing despite community opposition. We are fighting to stop it.