We condemn NPS’s start of illegal tree removal in Rock Creek, contradicting its written assurances just days ago.
Update - The Tree Removal is Illegal
On October 11th, 2024, attorney Andrea Ferster sent a letter to NPS on behalf of Rock Creek Park Golf Course For All (GCA) challenging the legality of the 50-lease executed by NPS. “The NPS failed to comply with crucial environmental and historic preservation laws before committing to this long-term lease,” said Sterling Washington, spokesperson for GCA. “The damage that will be done is significant, irreparable and environmentally disastrous.” GCA is calling on NPS to halt any approvals for construction or tree removal until these issues are thoroughly addressed and an alternative, environmentally sound plan is adopted.
Learn more by reading the attorney letter below, our complaint to the Department of the Interior Inspector General, and share this with your elected officials!
Orange arrow indicates where the trees have been removed. Blue arrow points to the location of the club house. According to NPS, red dots represent the trees that are going to be cut down, yellow dots represent trees which might be cut down in a second phase and green dots the trees that will remain.
“NLT proposes to remove 1,139 trees [red dots] An additional 225 trees will be subject to […] assessment [yellow dots]”
— National Park Service’s Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) April 17, 2024
Over 90% of you said “Nope”
At the beginning of May 2024, NPS finally released the 3,212 comments you submitted in the fall of 2023. Over 90% of commenters oppose the current plan, including the majority of those who identified as golfers and ALL those who identified as students.
“it would hurt my heart if you cut them down and not just me but a lot of other people and evan the animals you would be killing there home how would you feel if somebody just came up to your house and ruined it.”
— 10 year-old student commenting in opposition to the current plan
Our Asks
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Remove Invasive Vegetation First
Most of the trees deemed to be in poor condition are so because of invasive vines. The curtains of vines and the invasive shrubs reduce sunlight and airflow to the fairways. Therefore, before any trees are removed, the invasive vegetation should be removed and the causes for tree removal should be reassessed.
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Engage Communities Meaningfully
The communities most affected by the current plan (youth, current golfers, neighboring Justice 40 communities, and local oganizations with deep expertise on trees and wildlife) were not included in the visioning or planning. Over 90% of the 3,212 who commented on the plan oppose it. Meaningful community engagement is critical given that the goal of the plan is to “broaden course appeal to the local community.”
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Preserve Heritage Trees
The plan currently foresees the removal of between 57 and 119 trees with a circumference of 100” or greater. These trees are protected under DC and federal law. They should not be cut down.
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Limit Tree Removal
The overall number of trees to be removed should be limited to the 178 invasive trees and the handful of trees that might need to be removed to rebuild the clubhouse.
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Exclude Artificial Lighting
If a golf driving range is absolutely necessary to support revenues, it should be right-sized (the plan currently foresees a 50-bay driving range which is inappropriate for a non metro-accessible site) and it should go dark at sunset like Beach Drive and the Nature Center. Trees and wildlife need the darkness to metabolize, feed, migrate, reproduce and rest.
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Require Binding Commitments
National Links Trust is a new organization with lofty fundraising goals, embarking on their first major project. We ask that a bond be required to ensure that the planned tree replacement and maintenance, invasive species management, and meadow restoration and management actually happen.
The trees are not the problem
Golf players love the course because of its trees not despite its trees. On a regular day, the golf course is full of players. However, they do not have anywhere to stop and eat or drink or chat. The trees are not a problem - the lack of a modern club house is.
“I played the whole course today. It was a beautiful course, and I did not see many trees in the way, but the ones that were in the way kind of added to the game.”
Ask the youth!
NLT states the tree cutting is necessary to create easier sections of the golf course to allow youth to play golf.
This is what the youth have to say.
“Me and my friends walk down to Rock Creek Park every Friday, and even sometimes into the golf course. I have walked into the golf course at night, and seen full bushes and fields full of fireflies while hearing coyotes howl.”
— 12 year-old student commenting in opposition to the current plan
“I will say it’s concerning to see that many trees cut down. We know that Rock Creek’s forests are in poor condition and they need a lot of restoration work.”
— Jeanne Braha, Rock Creek Conservancy, October 2023
“Heritage Trees have a trunk circumference of 100 inches or more and are protected by DC law. Like the one in this picture, which is one of the 62 Heritage Trees that could be cut down in phase 2.”
- Delores Bushong, Langdon Park Forest Stewards
“I am writing to let you know that I think that the plan to cut down all of these trees is not a good idea. This will hurt the environment in many ways. First of all, it will be a big loss of habitat for the animals that live there. This includes rabbits/bunnies, deer, birds, squirrels, and many others.”
— DC Student commenting in opposition to the current plan.
“Upper Rock Creek Park is a singularly inappropriate location for an illuminated golf course or an illuminated driving range, and the proposed artificial lighting system is categorically ineligible for “Dark-Sky Approval” – contrary to the representations made by the Park Service”
— Jim Dougherty, Dark-Sky International DC Chapter
By contrast, the lights of the East Potomac Driving Range at Hains Point can be seen for 8 miles.
Listen to the evening birdsong (up the volume!)
As the night falls, the birds of Rock Creek Park golf course erupt in song. Many of the birds who live on the golf course will be homeless if over 1,200 trees are removed.
Did you know that even dead trees provide essential food and shelter for wildlife?
Wood ear fungi growing from a dead black walnut on Rock Creek Park Golf Course
Disc golf players from across the DC region are ecstatic to play the course exactly as it is. If only they could bring their business to a new clubhouse…
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