(WA) District to chop nearly 70 trees at high school

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By LISA STIFFLER
P-I REPORTER
Last updated August 8, 2008 9:53 p.m. PT

Nearly 70 mature trees at Ingraham High School that neighbors fought to save are scheduled to be cut down next week to make way for a school expansion project.

Opponents of the tree removal wanted the city to put the brakes on the School District's project by withholding necessary construction permits. So Seattle Public Schools simply withdrew its permit applications.

"So long as these applications are not pending, no city permits are required for removal of the trees," Fred Stephens, facilities director for the district, said in a letter sent this week to neighbors.

Once the large Douglas firs, Western red cedars and madrones are gone, the district will resubmit the city applications and proceed with the project.