The California Oak Foundation released its comments on the Gold Rush Ranch and Golf Resort project in Sutter Creek and the potential for sequestration as the project is developed.

The population of trees measuring six inches in diameter and larger is 31,600. The proposed project intends to remove 13,375, or 42 percent, of that population, though project developers have pledged to plant replacement oaks.

Nonetheless, the foundation cited its concerns with the amount of carbon dioxide that will remain in the atmosphere as a result of the tree removal. In terms of climate impact, if those oaks are then biomassed, the foundation says one unit of C02 released from a burning tree has the same ecological effect as one unit of C02 released from a car tailpipe.

California Environmental Quality Act reviews do not require specific C02 regulations by any state agency, but requires an analysis and proportional mitigation for effects on the environment. The current draft environmental report claims the oak woodlands on the project site are considered mature, thus resulting in low sequestration. The foundation disagrees, saying it expects construction to also result in the loss of some young or immature trees, which are important indicators of woodland health.

At full build out, the project will remove an estimated 403 acres of oak woodland and savanna, but mitigate up to 50 percent of the resulting impact through new plantings. In addition, the foundation has recommended preserving a perpetual off-site conservation easement equivalent in acreage and ecological functions to the impacted oak resources. "Until these CEQA requirements are met, the California Oak Foundation objects to approval of the Gold Rush project and adoption of its DEIR," foundation president Janet S. Cobb said in a release.