Caretaker reports Mediterranean oak borer infestation near Loch Lomond, urges county help

Alexander Powell, identifying himself as a managing caretaker at the Mount Lutetian Sanctuary, told supervisors that the Mediterranean oak borer has fully infested oak trees on the 1,000-acre meditation retreat near Loch Lomond. Powell said the infestation had reached higher altitudes than expected and that the sanctuary faces a difficult road ahead to remove infested trees and protect valley oaks.

"We face a difficult road ahead to help support the health of our trees, the valley oaks, and to remove and destroy infested trees and to keep the infestation from spreading more easily," Powell said. He linked the infestation and drought stress to higher wildfire risk and asked the board to help protect local forests.

The comment was submitted during public comment; the transcript shows no county staff response or request for a formal county program at that meeting.