Park Service begins new tree-cutting at East Potomac Golf Links; up to 529 trees to go
The National Park Service began a new round of tree removal at East Potomac Golf Links in Washington, with up to 529 trees to be cut, while a lawsuit over President Trump's plan to remake the course continues. The agency calls the work stewardship; critics call it destruction.
1 / 2
The story, neutrally told
Left · 2The National Park Service began a new round of tree-cutting on Saturday 10 October at East Potomac Golf Links, a historic public course near the National Mall. The IndependentLC “The National Park Service has begun a new round of tree-cutting at a historic golf course near the National Mall” Read at The Independent ↗ Raw StoryL “National Park Service crews begin another major round of cutting Saturday at East Potomac Golf Links” Read at Raw Story ↗ Left · 2A federal court filing says up to 529 trees "that do not contribute to the historic landscape will be removed"; the first two phases cover 169 trees and then 90 more. Kevin Griess, superintendent of National Mall and Memorial Parks, made the estimate in a sworn declaration. Raw StoryL ““In total, the NPS estimates that up to 529 trees that do not contribute to the historic landscape will be removed,” Kevin Griess” Read at Raw Story ↗ The IndependentLC “A total of 169 trees will be removed starting Saturday, with another 90 trees slated for removal later” Read at The Independent ↗ Left · 1The park service said no healthy trees that are contributing features of the historical course, including historic cherry trees, will be removed. The IndependentLC ““No healthy trees that are contributing features of the historical golf course” — including historic cherry trees — will be removed” Read at The Independent ↗
Left · 1The work comes as President Donald Trump pursues a plan to turn the course into a championship-level venue. In late June he posted that it would be able to host events such as the U.S. Open, the Ryder Cup and the PGA Championship. It is unclear when any major tournament could be held, since venues are chosen years ahead. The IndependentLC “When completed, this Course will have the ability to host Major Golf Tournaments”“It’s unclear when the course could host any major tournaments, as locations are chosen several years ahead of the events.” Read at The Independent ↗ Left · 1The administration still calls the overhaul a "potential project" and, according to Raw Story, says the tree removal is maintenance that will happen either way. Raw StoryL “The administration still calls the overhaul a “potential project.” It says the tree removal is maintenance that will happen either way.” Read at Raw Story ↗ Left · 1The Interior Department said the park service is "finally implementing a 7-year-old plan to address tree overgrowth" and that the work will restore the course's historic character and reopen views toward the Washington Monument, National War College, Potomac River and Washington Channel. The IndependentLC “"The National Park Service is finally implementing a 7-year-old plan to address tree overgrowth at East Potomac Golf Course,''”“reopen views toward landmarks, including the Washington Monument, National War College, Potomac River and Washington Channel.” Read at The Independent ↗
Left · 1The agency said the course will stay open throughout, though individual holes may close temporarily. The IndependentLC “The golf course will remain open to the public throughout the renovation effort, although individual holes may temporarily close while work is underway” Read at The Independent ↗ Left · 2The 106-year-old course has been the subject of a lawsuit since February. Plaintiffs including the DC Preservation League say the reconstruction would violate the 1897 congressional act that created the park. U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes declined last month to block the earlier cutting, saying: "I am not the Lorax. I do not speak for the trees." The IndependentLC “Plaintiffs including the DC Preservation League say the Trump administration’s reconstruction would violate the congressional act that created the park in 1897.” Read at The Independent ↗ Raw StoryL “U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes declined last month to block the earlier cutting. “I am not the Lorax. I do not speak for the trees,” she said.” Read at Raw Story ↗ Left · 2Critics object to the cutting. The group Save East Po said the government is "masquerading" it as historic restoration and posted a photo of crews beside an oak, and some residents fear the changes will alter the character of a course that has served Washingtonians of all income levels, with costlier fees and a likely loss of public space. Raw StoryL “said the government is “masquerading” the cutting as historic restoration” Read at Raw Story ↗ The IndependentLC “Turning the park into an upscale golf course will mean costlier fees and a likely loss of public space.” Read at The Independent ↗
Every sentence links to the reporting it rests on. The pill in front of each says where its sources sit: Left, Centre or Right when one side supplies at least half of them, Mixed when they are evenly split. The number is how many outlets it cites.
Left2 outlets
- Framing
- Raw Story leads with outrage and critics' reactions to the cutting; The Independent gives a more straight-news account that includes the Interior Department's justification alongside residents' concerns.
- Emphasis
- Raw Story: social-media reactions from journalists and the advocacy group. The Independent: the court filing, the Interior statement, the lawsuit and Trump's tournament ambitions.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Raw Story leaves out the Interior Department's stated rationale (7-year-old plan, restored views) and the promise to keep healthy contributing trees. Neither outlet reports comment from the plaintiffs' lawyers or independent arborists.
- Charged language
- “Outrage”“masquerading”“Republicans are pigs”
- For example
-
“That isn’t stopping it from cutting down hundreds of the course’s trees, and critics are furious.” — Raw Story
“Some residents fear the planned changes to the golf course” — The Independent
Centre0 outlets
No centre outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.
Right0 outlets
No right outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.
What every side reports
- The NPS began a new round of tree removal at East Potomac Golf Links on Saturday 10 October.
- A court filing says more than 500 trees (up to 529) will be removed, starting with 169 and then 90.
- Trump wants to rebuild the course as a championship-level venue, and a lawsuit over the plan is pending.
Where accounts differ
-
Whether the tree removal is separate from the redesign
- Left
- Raw Story says the administration calls the overhaul only a "potential project" and the cutting maintenance, while critics say it is masquerading as restoration. The Independent reports the cutting as part of the rehabilitation project to renovate the course into a championship-level one.
National Park Service organisation
Says the removals target trees that do not contribute to the historic landscape, that no healthy contributing trees will be cut, and that the work is stewardship.
“This carefully planned work is part of our required stewardship of the park,”” — The Independent
Donald Trump person
Wants the course turned into a world-class venue able to host major tournaments.
“Trump has moved to turn the course into a world-class golf venue” — The Independent
East Potomac Golf Links place
A 106-year-old public course, now subject of a lawsuit and a redesign plan; it is to stay open during the work.
“The 106-year-old public course has been embroiled in a lawsuit since February.” — The Independent
Left2 articles
-
Outrage as Trump moves to clear 500+ trees from DC golf course for 'home improvement'
Critical Frames the cutting as a Trump-driven controversy, relaying critics' and commentators' angry reactions.
-
Park service could remove more than 500 trees at historic golf course Trump wants to redesign
Neutral Reports the cutting as part of the renovation plan, giving the agency's and Interior's justification alongside residents' concerns and the lawsuit.
Centre0 articles
No coverage yet.
Right0 articles
No coverage yet.
- 10 Oct 18:27 First Raw StoryL Outrage as Trump moves to clear 500+ trees from DC golf course for 'home improvement'
- 10 Oct 20:43 +2h 16m The IndependentLC Park service could remove more than 500 trees at historic golf course Trump wants to redesign
Times are when each article was published, or when we first saw it if the outlet gave no time.