A US federal judge on Monday ordered a halt to further tree-cutting at a public golf course in Washington, DC, after more than 500 trees were felled as part of US President Donald Trump’s planned renovation of the facility.
Trump, an avid golfer who owns courses around the world, has proposed transforming East Potomac Golf Links, a public course known for its affordable rates, into a facility capable of hosting major championship events.
However, work on the renovation had proceeded despite a lawsuit filed by an environmental group and opposition from local golfers, who say the century-old course is one of the few places in the capital where they can play the sport at an affordable cost.
In a 70-page ruling, District Judge Ana Reyes barred the government from removing or damaging additional trees at the course and ordered officials to provide 10 business days’ written notice before making any irreversible changes to East Potomac Park while the litigation continues.
“The Court ENJOINS defendants from removing or damaging additional trees on East Potomac Golf Course and ORDERS them to provide ten business days’ written advance notice before making any irreparable modification to any forms or features of East Potomac Park, pending the outcome of this litigation,” Reyes wrote.
The judge criticised the government for proceeding with the tree removal without adequate notice, despite knowing at least a week in advance that the work was scheduled.
“The Government felled hundreds of trees from the East Potomac Golf Course without real notice even though it knew of the scheduled removal at least a week prior,” she said, describing the trees as “healthy, nonhazardous trees”.
Trump said earlier this month that construction on the 18-hole course was expected to begin in November.
Despite the ruling, the president insisted on Monday that the course would close for renovation as planned on November 15 and vowed to appeal the decision.
“The judge has absolutely no right to hold up this very important and beautiful Project,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.
Reyes said more than 500 trees had already been cut down at the site.
In a reference to The Lorax, the Dr Seuss book about environmental destruction, the judge wrote: “The Court does not speak for the trees.”
“It speaks only for the rule of law,” she added.
AFP
