Town of Bel Air, MD Article IX Priorities and Time Requirements

§ 216-15 Sequence for afforestation and reforestation.

A. After techniques for retaining existing forest on the site have been exhausted, the preferred sequence for afforestation and reforestation, as determined by the Department, is as follows:

(1) Selective clearing and supplemental planting on site;

(2) On-site afforestation or reforestation, if economically feasible, using transplanted or nursery stock that is greater than two inches diameter measured at 4.5 feet above the ground;

(3) Landscaping of areas under an approved landscaping tree plan which establishes a forest that is at least 35 feet wide and covering 2,500 square feet or more of area;

(4) On-site afforestation or reforestation, using whip and seedling stock;

(5) Off-site afforestation or reforestation, using transplanted or nursery stock that is greater than two inches diameter measured at 4.5 feet above the ground;

(6) Off-site afforestation or reforestation, using whip and seedling stock;

(7) Street trees with an established cost per tree subtracted from the Forest Conservation Fund for the site as determined in Article X, § 216-16 of this chapter;

(8) Natural regeneration on site; and

(9) Natural regeneration off site.

B. A sequence other than the one described in Subsection A of this section may be used for a specific project, if necessary, to achieve the objectives of the Town land use plan or Town land use policies, or to take advantage of opportunities to consolidate forest conservation efforts.

C. The following are considered a priority for afforestation and reforestation to:

(1) Establish or enhance forest buffers adjacent to intermittent and perennial streams to widths of at least 50 feet;

(2) Establish or enhance nonforested areas on one-hundred-year floodplains, when appropriate;

(3) Establish or increase existing forested corridors to connect existing forests within or adjacent to the site, and, where practical, forested corridors should be a minimum of 300 feet in width to facilitate wildlife movement;

(4) Establish or enhance forest buffers adjacent to critical habitats where appropriate;

(5) Establish plantings to stabilize slopes of 20% or greater and slopes of 15% or greater with a soil K value greater than 0.35, including the slopes or ravines or other natural depressions;

(6) Establish buffers adjacent to areas of differing land use when appropriate, or adjacent to highways or utility rights-of-way;

(7) Establish forest areas adjacent to existing forests to increase the overall area of contiguous forest cover, when appropriate; and

(8) Use native plant materials for afforestation or reforestation, when appropriate.

D. A person required to conduct afforestation or reforestation under this article shall accomplish it within one year or two growing seasons, whichever is a greater time period, following development project completion.