PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release:                                                                   

November 24, 2010                                                                                           

Contact: (415) 554-6931

Public Works Encourages Residents to Check Trees and Clear Leaves to Prepare for Winter Wind and Rain

San Francisco, CA- The Department of Public Works (DPW) is encouraging residents and property owners to prepare for winter storms. During the winter months, high winds coupled with rain can cause tree limbs to fail resulting in property damage. Residents who have maintenance responsibility for trees adjacent to their property are encouraged to assess their trees by a licensed, certified arborist.

The City and County of San Francisco has adopted pruning standards and guidelines to ensure the structural stability and good health of street trees.

Keeping sidewalks and catch basins free of debris and especially leaves can also help to minimize potential localized flooding. San Francisco initiated the Turn Brown Leaves Green educational campaign to raise awareness about how sweeping leaves off of sidewalks and curbs and putting them in the green cart for composting can help keep leaves out of catch basins to minimize localized flooding and help with the City’s composting and waste diversion efforts. If residents sign up for the City Adopt-A-Streetprogram, they can receive free compostable leaf bags to help properly manage yard waste. The Turn Brown Leaves Green campaign is led by the Department of Public Works in partnership with SF Environment, the SF Public Utilities Commission, and Recology.

For information about how to sign up for Adopt A Street, to learn about the Turn Brown Leaves Green campaign or to find out about tree maintenance responsibilities, the public can call 3-1-1 or visit DPW’s web page at www.sfdpw.org and visit the Community One Stop on Trees.

DPW is responsible for the care and maintenance of San Francisco’s streets and much of its infrastructure. The department cleans and resurfaces streets; plants and maintains City street trees; designs, constructs and maintains city-owned facilities; inspects streets and sidewalks; constructs curb ramps; removes graffiti from public property; and partners with the diverse neighborhoods in San Francisco to provide stellar cleaning and greening services. For more information, visit www.sfdpw.org.

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