6.2 Tree Cutting
Trees and other vegetation provide the following benefits to resource areas and to homeowners: they stabilize banks and soils and help provide erosion control to resource areas; they provide shade and help to absorb sound and heat from buildings and paved areas; they stabilize the thermal properties of nearby water resources; they provide natural buffers along waterways and enhance water quality by trapping and filtering pollutants; they slow runoff which helps groundwater recharge; filters nonpoint source pollution and reduces flooding; erosion, and stream sedimentation; they protect fish and wildlife habitat; they revitalize threatened and degraded resource areas; they provide habitat for many species of wildlife and provide many other functions. As such, the Commission strongly encourages leaving any trees and
vegetation in it’s natural state within the 200 foot buffer to any resource area. Trees should be retained along and around the resource area as much as possible. Should trees or vegetation need to be altered or removed the following guidelines shall apply.
1. No disturbance of trees or other vegetation is allowed within the first 25 feet to any resource area. A waiver may be obtained from the Commission by filing a Request for Determination with the Commission for prior review and approval. ( See section 1.1)
2. Cutting of trees or more than 10% of other vegetation within the remainder of the 200 foot buffer must be applied for using a request for determination for tree or vegetation removal within the first 100 foot buffer to any resource area. A letter permit application shall be used for tree or vegetation removal within the 100 to 200 foot buffer to any resource area. Should a permit be issued, the following Best Management Practices shall be required:
a. No stumps shall be removed within the first 50 feet to a resource area. Stumps may be ground below the surface and loamed and seeded.
b. Plans for removal of trees or vegetation on slopes must also contain plans to replace the erosion control values being lost. Tree or vegetation removal will only be allowed if there is not an increased risk of erosion to resource areas.
c. Tree removal within the first 50 feet of any resource area will only be allowed if there is not a significant change to the canopy.
3. Tree cutting, or any other work, within areas designated as Potential Habitat for Rare and Endangered Species by the Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program must be permitted through NHESP as well as through the Commission.
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