California Spends $205,075 To Move A $15 Bush
Via Tim Cavanaugh at reason, Thomas Cloud writes at CNSNews:
The government spent at least $205,075 in 2010 to "translocate" a single bush in San Francisco that stood in the path of a $1.045-billion highway-renovation project that was partially funded by the economic stimulus legislation President Barack Obama signed in 2009."In October 2009, an ecologist identified a plant growing in a concrete-bound median strip along Doyle Drive in the Presidio as Arctostaphylos franciscana," the U.S. Department of Interior reported in the Aug. 10, 2010 edition of the Federal Register. "The plant's location was directly in the footprint of a roadway improvement project designed to upgrade the seismic and structural integrity of the south access to the Golden Gate Bridge.
...The bush--a Franciscan manzanita--was a specimen of a commercially cultivated species of shrub that can be purchased from nurseries for as little as $15.98 per plant. The particular plant in question, however, was discovered in the midst of the City of San Francisco, in the median strip of a highway, and was deemed to be the last example of the species in the "wild."
Prior to the discovery of this "wild" Franciscan manzanita, the plant had been considered extinct for as long as 62 years--extinct, that is, outside of people's yards and botanical gardens.
Much of this piece reads like something from The Onion:
While the MOA did not detail all the costs for moving the bush, it did state that in addition to funding removal and transportation of the Franciscan manzanita, Caltrans agreed to transfer $79,470 to the Presidio Trust "to fund the establishment, nurturing, and monitoring of the Mother Plant in its new location for a period not to exceed ten (10) years following relocation and two (2) years for salvaged rooted layers and cuttings according to the activities outlined in the Conservation Plan."
Oh. Bite. Me.
Why didn't the just get a Mexican grander to do it?
Ppen at April 17, 2012 12:26 AM
so close... so very close... come on America give me a reason to continue liking you.
John Paulson at April 17, 2012 1:49 AM
From somewhere in the bureaucracy: "OK, be like that. If you are complaining about moving that bush, then we'll just have to move it back. Is that better?"
Andrew_M_Garland at April 17, 2012 2:21 AM
Don't think this is unique to California. Here in FLA, several years ago, they 'upgraded' an intersection by first removing a few dozen large palm trees which had provided shade when you were stuck at the lights. They 'discarded' those trees (gave them to the landscaping company that removed them, while officially calling them 'discarded').
Meanwhile, a mile or so down the same road, they planted several new large palm trees at a cost of around $10k PER TREE.
Wonderful use of gov't money, isn't it?
DrCos at April 17, 2012 3:58 AM
A few years ago, in Austin, the city put these planters along a road in the middle of town (Shoal Creek Blvd) and planted Crepe Myrtles in them. Then a few months later the city either got rid of the planters altogether or just removed the crepe myrtles (don't remember exactly). So next they put the trees along the creek, but didn't bother to have anyone water them to make sure they'd live. When they started to whither in the heat, the geniuses at the city dug them up and put them in storage somewhere.
Needless to say, Austin is so wannabe San Francisco, it's laughable. Now they're banning plastic bags from the grocery stores and our power bills are about to increase 25% because of all of the "green" initiatives. I'm so done with this place.
ahw at April 17, 2012 7:59 AM
To top it off, manzanitas are nearly impossible to transplant once they get established. The thing probably died after all that.
Jim at April 17, 2012 8:33 AM
Amy Alkon
http://www.advicegoddess.com/archives/2012/04/17/california_spen.html#comment-3145921">comment from JimIdiots.
Amy Alkon
at April 17, 2012 9:01 AM
Amy Alkon
http://www.advicegoddess.com/archives/2012/04/17/california_spen.html#comment-3145922">comment from Amy AlkonAnd it's always easier to be idiotic on somebody else's dime. Or their $205K.
Amy Alkon
at April 17, 2012 9:01 AM
Idiots with your checkbook.
MarkD at April 17, 2012 9:02 AM
Here, pirates might be the correct answer.
MarkD at April 17, 2012 9:03 AM
You can rent a chainsaw and a stump grinder for about $150/day. Take a guess which way I would go.
Jim P. at April 17, 2012 7:27 PM
But, but, but this was a free range bush. Not one of those bushes born in captivity and kept in small gardens without a chance to move about and exercise in the wild.
Jay at April 17, 2012 8:31 PM
Wanna bet it wasn't a truly "wild" bush?
For more idiocy, go no further than the greater Phoenix area. Keeping in mind that this is desert, they planted vegetation along several freeways that need watering. During the monsoon season, it isn't unusual to see the sprinklers on!
Joe at April 18, 2012 11:56 AM
WTH was responsible for this decision? Surely it is possible to name names.
Jeff Guinn at April 18, 2012 1:52 PM
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