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9A Page 8 If your city faces MMPs and requests assistance scheduling meetings with the water boards or have questions about the MMPs, please contact League Legislative Representative Kyra Ross at (916) 658- 8252. Sustainability Feature Story: Riverside Blankets City with Trees In the city of Riverside, an urban forest isn't so far from reality thanks to the city's Clean and Green Sustainable Riverside Action Plan. Called the '100,000 Trees by 2010 Initiative,' it was adopted after the success of the city's Tree Power program. One of the reasons the city chose 100,000 as its target is because it's the approximate number ot electric meters that Riverside Public Utilities serves. The goal is that there will be one tree per electric meter for every home or business in Riverside. Since 2000, more than 67,000 trees have been planted and the city is well on its way to meeting and possibly exceeding its 2010 goal. Through the Riverside Public Utilities Tree Power program, customers can get a rebate for planting selected shade trees in certain locations around their home to help save on summer cooling costs. The city's utility estimates that well-placed trees around a structure can reduce air conditioning or cooling costs by as much as 20 percent. As part of the initiative, trees are also being planted in parks, on trails and paths and in city right-ot-ways and easements. Trees benefit the environment by Improving air quality, reducing noise, providing privacy, adding aesthetic and economic value to our public and private landscape, preventing soil erosion and beautifying our surroundings. Non-dwarf citrus and other fruit trees are the most commonly planted trees through the program. The city is also planting other species Including: Chinese Fringe, Golden Rain, Fern pine, Chinese Flame and camphor. Riverside Mayor Ron Loveridge is a huge proponent of the city's green initiatives and was an early advocate of the tree program. "The '100,000 Trees by 2010 Initiative' is important because it sets a benchmark, it commits us to a specific goal. Measuring the greening of our community by number of trees planted reflects our strong commitment to a cleaner and greener urban environment for all residents," said Loveridge. Some areas of Riverside now have over 80 percent canopy coverage. According to the city's Sustainability Manager, Mike Bac/ch, Riverside has been formally de~ignated as a "Tree City, USA- for the importance placed on its urban forest. The Tree City USA@ program is sponsored by the Arbor Day Foundation in cooperation with the USDA Forest Service and the National Association of State Foresters. It provides direction, technical assistance, public attention, and national recognition for urban and community forestry programs in 3,216 communities across the country. Tree maintenance depends on ownership. Residential customers are responsible for trees on their property, where as city trees are maintained by the city. For example the Parks and Recreation Department takes care of park trees and trees planted in the c/ty right-of-ways are maintained by the Public Works Department's Urban Forestry and Landscape division. All city trees are on a city wide four-year trimming cycle. For more information about the Green Riverside Action Plan visit www.GreenRiverside.com. To learn more about the benefits of Riverside's Tree Power Program visit http://www.riversideca.Qov/utilitieslresi-treeoower.asp. 8