There is an argument that the older established trees are more ecologically important than the proposed replacement trees. https://www.saveshorelinetrees.com/
Washington State has a lot of trees and any transportation improvements can mean disruption or removal. However, new trees can always replace the old ones.
Overall, Washington like Alberta, Canada have been able to build up so much more infrastructure than BC, because they don't have anything like the BC red tape and heavy restrictions to contend with.