Wib Middleton
County Council Unanimously passes fee increase for disruption of street trees, forest canopy
Any season is good time to be thankful for trees but the brilliant colors of Fall are a reminder of just how much trees offer to our neighborhoods.
Montgomery County has laws to staunch the loss of street trees, forest canopy and soil. The Roadside Tree Protection Law decrees anyone granted a permit to remove a tree in the County’s right of way generally must replant and/or pay a fee into the Street Tree Planting Fund.
Similarly, under the County’s Tree Canopy Law, an applicant for a sediment control permit must plant shade trees and/or pay a fee into the Tree Canopy Conservation Account.
However - the fees developers pay into this fund have not increased in 10 years while the cost of saplings and labor has gone far higher.
The fee is currently $250 per tree, however the tree plantings actually cost on average between $450-$470 between purchasing trees, planting and aftercare. Planting the healthiest saplings and providing proper aftercare as they get established allows the trees to be of service in neighborhoods for generations.
Councilmembers Friedson and Glass have introduced bill 40-23 - Tree Canopy and Roadside Tree Requirements - Fee Revisions and all Councilmembers signed on as co-sponsors and the bill passed.
While there are other provisions that can be taken to strengthen these laws in the future, this proposed common sense legislation to adjust the fee is straightforward and meaningful - a great step forward.
We are thankful for trees and your support - Thank You!
Montgomery County has laws to staunch the loss of street trees, forest canopy and soil. The Roadside Tree Protection Law decrees anyone granted a permit to remove a tree in the County’s right of way generally must replant and/or pay a fee into the Street Tree Planting Fund.
Similarly, under the County’s Tree Canopy Law, an applicant for a sediment control permit must plant shade trees and/or pay a fee into the Tree Canopy Conservation Account.
However - the fees developers pay into this fund have not increased in 10 years while the cost of saplings and labor has gone far higher.
The fee is currently $250 per tree, however the tree plantings actually cost on average between $450-$470 between purchasing trees, planting and aftercare. Planting the healthiest saplings and providing proper aftercare as they get established allows the trees to be of service in neighborhoods for generations.
Councilmembers Friedson and Glass have introduced bill 40-23 - Tree Canopy and Roadside Tree Requirements - Fee Revisions and all Councilmembers signed on as co-sponsors and the bill passed.
While there are other provisions that can be taken to strengthen these laws in the future, this proposed common sense legislation to adjust the fee is straightforward and meaningful - a great step forward.
We are thankful for trees and your support - Thank You!
