Caltrans starts tree removals at Richardson Grove, EPIC alleges violation

Caltrans construction crews this week marked and removed younger trees along the one-mile stretch of U.S. 101 slated for realignment through Richardson Grove State Park, a move the Environmental Protection Information Center says violated an agreement to receive advance notice of work. The agency says limited removals are precautionary to protect nesting birds and that no old-growth trees are being taken down.

“Crews are marking and removing only younger, newer-growth trees in advance of nesting bird season. No old-growth trees are being removed, nor will any be removed by the project itself,” Caltrans spokesperson Myles Cochrane said in an emailed statement. The agency has said it is prepared to begin broader construction this spring and that the project will take approximately two years, requiring careful approaches because of the park’s sensitive environment.

Representatives of EPIC responded sharply. “Not so fast.” EPIC members reported finding at least two redwoods removed along the north shoulder of the road near the former Singing Trees Recovery Center and say Caltrans did not provide the 45-day warning stipulated for activities affecting the project site. The group has litigated the Richardson Grove realignment for nearly two decades and contends that even limited tree work can harm ancient redwoods by severing roots or altering soil conditions that support long-lived trees.

Caltrans states the Richardson Grove Improvement Project would remove 38 trees in total, including two small redwoods measured at 4–8 inches in diameter at breast height. The agency says crews will use hand digging and air spades to minimize root impacts where removal is necessary. Environmental advocates, however, have repeatedly argued that construction and roadway widening could still damage the root systems of old-growth redwoods or lead to long-term stresses as pavement and infrastructure encroach on root zones.

The legal backdrop remains active. Litigation over the realignment has stretched across multiple court cases and appeals, and environmental groups have signaled further challenges are pending. That ongoing litigation means timelines announced by Caltrans could face delays if courts intervene or if enforcement actions are pursued over alleged procedural breaches like the 45-day notice.

For Humboldt County residents the immediate issues are both environmental and procedural. Richardson Grove is a locally recognizable stretch of redwood forest along the coast highway, and changes there affect park character, visitor experience, and local stewardship of old-growth trees. The dispute also highlights how project timing - including pre-construction vegetation work tied to bird-nesting seasons - can intersect with legal obligations and community expectations.

What comes next is likely to be legal and administrative. Caltrans has signaled readiness to proceed with work this spring under mitigation measures; EPIC has raised a procedural complaint and shown evidence of removals near a known landmark. Residents should expect further statements from both sides, potential filings in court, and additional on-site activity as the conflict over Richardson Grove moves forward.