Trees; replacement and conservation during development, effective date. (HB2042)

Introduced By

Del. Nancy Guy (D-Virginia Beach) with support from 14 copatrons, whose average partisan position is:

Those copatrons are Del. Hala Ayala (D-Woodbridge), Del. Josh Cole (D-Stafford), Del. Wendy Gooditis (D-Clarke), Del. Angelia Williams Graves (D-Norfolk), Del. Elizabeth Guzman (D-Dale City), Del. Patrick Hope (D-Arlington), Del. Mark Keam (D-Vienna), Del. Kaye Kory (D-Falls Church), Del. Paul Krizek (D-Alexandria), Del. Alfonso Lopez (D-Arlington), Del. Martha Mugler (D-Hampton, Del. Kathleen Murphy (D-McLean), Del. Rip Sullivan (D-Arlington), Sen. Scott Surovell (D-Mount Vernon)

Description

Replacement and conservation of trees during development; work group. Gives a locality the ability to exceed general requirements in its tree replacement and conservation ordinances in specific circumstances, including development that impacts stormwater permit requirements, recurrent flooding, formerly redlined areas, and comprehensive plan compliance. The bill also directs the Secretary of Natural Resources and Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry to convene a stakeholder work group for the purpose of developing and providing recommendations to state and local governments related to policies that encourage the conservation of mature trees and tree cover on sites being developed, increase tree canopy cover in communities, and encourage the planting of trees. The bill will not become effective unless reenacted by the 2022 Session of the General Assembly, but the stakeholder work group is effective in due course. This bill is identical to SB 1393. Read the Bill »

Status

03/12/2021: signed by governor

History