Spring Break
Denton's new urban forester steps on board
Megan Schwarz
Issue date: 3/5/08 Section: NEWS
The Denton Committee for the Environment formally introduced the city's urban forester Monday and elected to solicit more public input for the tree ordinance revision process.
Earl J. Cochran is Denton's new urban forester.
Before joining the city Feb. 25, Cochran was a contact and division forester for Texas-New Mexico Power, according to a statement by John Cabrales, Denton's public information officer.
Cochran's hiring was made possible by a $30,000 matching grant by the Texas Forest Service in July. He will be responsible for "plan review and field enforcement of the Tree Preservation and Mitigation Ordinance," Cabrales said.
When city council member Jack Thomson asked what kind of input Cochran would have in the revision process, Nona Muncie, city landscape administrator, said Cochran was still learning his job.
"E.J. is getting up to speed on the current ordinance," Nuncie said. "I don't want to put him out there before we have a new document, and he's got more than enough work to do right now."
Cochran and Muncie declined to answer any questions regarding his responsibilities, the length of his contract or the ordinance. Both requested that inquiries be sent by e-mail, but neither was able to provide information before press time.
Denton residents dissatisfied with what they call the city's policy of "chop-down-first, ask-forgiveness-later" have clamored for an urban forester for years.
"Denton is doing better than it was five years ago when it didn't have an ordinance or a forester, and it wasn't receptive at all," said Courtney Blevins, a Texas Forest Service representative.
However, Thomson said budget constraints and other concerns have prevented the city from pursuing an effective tree ordinance.
"There was a grant available in '01, but we weren't in a position to take advantage of it," he said.
Earl J. Cochran is Denton's new urban forester.
Before joining the city Feb. 25, Cochran was a contact and division forester for Texas-New Mexico Power, according to a statement by John Cabrales, Denton's public information officer.
Cochran's hiring was made possible by a $30,000 matching grant by the Texas Forest Service in July. He will be responsible for "plan review and field enforcement of the Tree Preservation and Mitigation Ordinance," Cabrales said.
When city council member Jack Thomson asked what kind of input Cochran would have in the revision process, Nona Muncie, city landscape administrator, said Cochran was still learning his job.
"E.J. is getting up to speed on the current ordinance," Nuncie said. "I don't want to put him out there before we have a new document, and he's got more than enough work to do right now."
Cochran and Muncie declined to answer any questions regarding his responsibilities, the length of his contract or the ordinance. Both requested that inquiries be sent by e-mail, but neither was able to provide information before press time.
Denton residents dissatisfied with what they call the city's policy of "chop-down-first, ask-forgiveness-later" have clamored for an urban forester for years.
"Denton is doing better than it was five years ago when it didn't have an ordinance or a forester, and it wasn't receptive at all," said Courtney Blevins, a Texas Forest Service representative.
However, Thomson said budget constraints and other concerns have prevented the city from pursuing an effective tree ordinance.
"There was a grant available in '01, but we weren't in a position to take advantage of it," he said.
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