On Friday, April 30, the DC Register republished for a further 30-day comment period, expiring June 1, the proposed Department of Transportation regulations implementing the Urban Forest Preservation Act. The proposed regulations are available on the Office of the Secretary’s website (Office of Documents, DC Register).
After comment and approval by the DC Council, a permit will be needed for a property owner to remove a non-hazardous tree with a circumference larger than 55 inches at a height of 4.5 feet. The more important changes are that permits will be valid for 180 days, rather than 60 days originally proposed, and that replacement trees be planted no later than seven months after tree removal or after construction is finished, rather than the original six months.
Comments should be made to Mariclaire McCartan, Department of Transportation, Urban Forestry Administration, 4901 Shepherd Parkway, SW, Washington, DC 20032-5215, or by email.