The tree-people near Memorial Stadium (can we call them Berkeley Ewoks?) have scored a temporary legal victory against the University. A judge today put a preliminary junction against construction until a trial can be held:

In issuing a preliminary injunction, Alameda County Superior Court Judge Barbara Miller said opponents’ environmental and seismic-related challenges were strong enough to justify a preliminary injunction until a trial can be held.

Campus officials say they have made a complete seismic evaluation of the project and the new facility will mean staff can move into a safe building. They have promised to plant three new trees for every one removed.

Campus spokeswoman Marie Felde said Monday that officials are considering filing an appeal to the injunction, but even if the issue goes to trial, they expect to win and are moving forward with the planning process.

“This is not the end of the project by any means,” she said. “The judge is concerned about many issues, but we believe our concern for improving the safety of student athletes should outweigh concerns about trees and other issues.”

The biggest loser in this is Cal Football, which has been using the new Training Center as a recruiting tool for incoming freshman players. With these new delays, potential recruits could be swayed by other schools, limiting the Golden Bears future potential. Tightwad Hill will have some pretty solid information about how Cal recruiting could be effected.

The best way for me to portray my respect for the demands of the Berkeley Ewoks can be found in a surprisingly well-written letter to the Berkeley Daily Planet:

IT AIN’T THE ONLY OAK GROVE

Editors, Daily Planet:

Week after week I see this lie published about the scraggly oaks next to Memorial Stadium being the “only grove in Berkeley” or “in the flatlands.” It ain’t true. For openers, just stroll directly west from the stadium down the long, wide walk to the large, nice grove of oaks just south of the old LSB building where one can sit on the old marble bench as I have done for some 50 years. Unlike the so-called stadium “grove,” one does not fall on your ass trying to walk around on a leaf-covered, down-slopping grade and fall on the sidewalk, with cars around and steel fences. The best thing that could happen up there would be to take all the oaks out and thereby allow full view of a truly magnificent architectural display. By the way, there are more than 250 varieties of trees alone on the Berkeley campus. Pick up a guided tour at the Forestry Department.

Jack Chamberlain