State bans some tree removal and trimming in Tennis Estates

California Coastal Commissioners have barred a Huntington Harbour homeowners association from cutting or trimming any trees in the area that are home to great blue herons and egrets.

In a ruling late Wednesday, the commission also required the Tennis Estates Homeowners Assn. cease any development that would harm heron and egret nesting or roosting areas.

The homeowners association was also ordered to plant three pine trees to replace a tree it chopped down at Humboldt Drive and Saybrook Lane.

In May, concerned residents protested when a homeowners association trimmed three 75-foot tall pine trees and cut down another one.

The California Department of Fish and Game then halted the destruction of the trees in Tennis Estates of Huntington Harbour.

The commissioners ruled that the loss of unhatched eggs and hatchlings because of tree trimming or tree-removal adversely affects the wetlands ecosystem.

The association also agreed to be monitored by an aviation biologist for five years.