Revised Code of Washington (RCW) (Last Updated: August 9, 2016) |
Title 35. CITIES AND TOWNS |
Chapter 35.105. Urban forest management. |
Section 35.105.070. Model evergreen community management plans—Elements to consider.
Latest version.
- In the development of model evergreen community management plans under RCW 35.105.050, the department shall consider including, but not be limited to, the following elements:(1) Inventory and assessment of the jurisdiction's urban and community forests utilized as a dynamic management tool to set goals, implement programs, and monitor outcomes that may be adjusted over time;(2) Canopy cover goals;(3) Reforestation and tree canopy expansion goals within the city's, town's, and county's boundaries;(4) Restoration of public forests;(5) Achieving forest stand and diversity goals;(6) Maximizing vegetated storm water management with trees and other vegetation that reduces runoff, increases soil infiltration, and reduces storm water pollution;(7) Environmental health goals specific to air quality, habitat for wildlife, and energy conservation;(8) Vegetation management practices and programs to prevent vegetation from interfering with or damaging utilities and public facilities;(9) Prioritizing planting sites;(10) Standards for tree selection, siting, planting, and pruning;(11) Scheduling maintenance and stewardship for new and established trees;(12) Staff and volunteer training requirements emphasizing appropriate expertise and professionalism;(13) Guidelines for protecting existing trees from construction-related damage and damage related to preserving territorial views;(14) Integrating disease and pest management;(15) Wood waste utilization;(16) Community outreach, participation, education programs, and partnerships with nongovernment organizations;(17) Time frames for achieving plan goals, objectives, and tasks;(18) Monitoring and measuring progress toward those benchmarks and goals;(19) Consistency with the urban wildland interface codes developed by the state building code council;(20) Emphasizing landscape and revegetation plans in residential and commercial development areas where tree retention objectives are challenging to achieve; and(21) Maximizing building heating and cooling energy efficiency through appropriate siting of trees for summer shading, passive solar heating in winter, and for wind breaks.NOTES:Short title—2008 c 299: See note following RCW 35.105.010.