Sample/Template Letter

Help protect the healthy median trees

Dear Supervisor Mueller, San Mateo County Board of Supervisors, Congressman Kevin Mullin, Congressman and Sam Liccardo, Assemblymember Berman:

[Personalize your letter with your own perspective HERE to create a stronger impact. You may include photo.]

I am writing to express my opposition to the petition titled “Remove Eucalyptus Trees from the Unincorporated Coastside,” which has since changed its name and petition language. The title is now: “Remove Neglected and Dangerous Eucalyptus Trees from the Unincorporated Coast.” If I had signed the original version, I would be concerned that the revised petition no longer reflects my views—and that I would have no way to remove my signature.

I’m particularly concerned that the petition focuses heavily on tree removal, with little mention of maintenance or the replanting of native, climate-resilient trees. One main target is the El Granada medians within our neighborhood, which do not appear to be a high fire risk:

Median eucalyptus trees are not high priority per the (El Granada Wildfire Resiliency Scoping Project, San Mateo Resource Conservation District, June 2022).
Wide streets already serve as fire breaks
Dangerous limbs and grasses are cut annually
Fuel ladders are minimal

While I agree that the median trees could be better maintained, I do not support their complete removal. These trees provide important climate cooling, wildlife habitat, and enhance our community’s character as tree-lined park space.

I moved here for the natural beauty and also care deeply about wildfire safety. But solutions should focus on:

Fire breaks in the higher risk wildland-urban interface
Home hardening
These are more cost-effective, targeted, and environmentally responsible than widespread tree removal.

Clear-cutting large areas—especially within our neighborhoods—will disrupt wildlife, worsen our local climate, and increase the risk of flooding, erosion, and costly damage to homes. With Cal Fire mandates already impacting large areas, we should protect what remains—especially our historic, tree-lined streets.

Please oppose this upcoming petition.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your City or Neighborhood]
[Optional: Contact info]

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CONTACTS::

Assemblymember Marc Berman

assemblymember.berman@assembly.ca.gov

Congressman Sam Liccardo

Phone: (650) 323-2984 (Half Moon Bay)

Phone: (408) 245-2339 (San Jose)

liccardo.house.gov

Congressman Kevin Mullin

Phone: (650) 342-0300