§ 55-9. General.  


Latest version.
  • (a)Regulations. Except as otherwise provided, the County Executive must adopt regulations, including a technical manual, to administer this Chapter, under Method 2.
    (b)Technical manual. The technical manual must include guidance and methods to:
    (1) preserve trees onsite where possible;
    (2) identify, map, and evaluate the suitability of planting site locations, including acceptable shapes of open surface areas and the use of County rights-of-way;
    (3) identify criteria for acceptable species, sizes, and health of newly planted shade trees;
    (4) identify criteria for acceptable installation techniques; and
    (5) otherwise comply with program requirements, consistent with this Chapter and applicable regulations.
    (c)Administrative fee. The County Executive may, by Method 2 regulation, adopt a schedule of fees to administer this Chapter.
    (d)Reports. On or before March 1 of each year, the Directors of Permitting Services and Environmental Protection must jointly submit an annual report on the County shade tree planting program to the County Council and County Executive.
    (e)Comprehensive planting plan. The Director of Environmental Protection must adopt and maintain a comprehensive County-wide shade tree planting plan to specify appropriate uses for funds in the Tree Canopy Conservation Account. The Director should develop the plan after consulting other County agencies and the Planning Department.
    (f)Survival and mortality analysis. The Department of Environmental Protection must collect data on shade trees planted under this Chapter, and those planted under other programs, to evaluate and provide guidance to the County’s tree canopy programs.
    (g)Tree canopy plan. The Director of Environmental Protection, after consulting other County agencies, the Planning Department, the Forest Conservation Advisory Committee, organizations representing development and environmental interests, and the public, must propose to the Executive and Council recommendations regarding:
    (1) tree canopy goals for the County; and
    (2) a comprehensive strategy to increase the number of trees planted in the County. (, § 1.)