2846 24 Tree Ordinance

2846-24 AN ORDINANCE REPEALING AND REPLACING CHAPTER 25, SECTIONS 27 OF THE REVISED GENERAL ORDINANCES OF THE TOWNSHIP OF WEST ORANGE AND ESTABLISHING CHAPTER 28 FOR ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION (TREE PROTECTION, REMOVAL AND REPLACEMENT) BE IT OR DAINED BY THE MUNICIPAL COUNCIL OF THE TOWNSHIP OF WEST ORANGE, NEW JERSEY that Chapter 25, Sections 27 of the Revised General Ordinances of the Township of West Orange be and are hereby repealed and replaced with the newly established Chapter 28 Sections 1-11 ofthe Revised General Ordinances of the Township of West Orange, which establishes a Chapter dedicated to environmental protection in the Township ofWest Orange, and shall state as follows: §28-1: Title This Section shall be known as the "Tree Protection, Removal and Replacement Ordinance ofthe Township ofWest Orange" §28-2: Findings and Purpose a. A 2023 study commissioned by the Township of West Orange found that the tree canopy in West Orange has been dramatically declining and will continue to decline in future years without replanting and renewing protections for the tree canopy. The Township of West Orange finds that: trees are among the Township's most valuable natural resource assets, greatly enhancing the appearance of the Township and contributing to its suburban residential character; the integrity of Township and regional water resources is substantially affected by development on constrained land (e.g., steep slopes, wetlands and reduced depth to groundwater), tree removal, soil disturbance, stormwater management and the general use of land resources; the preservation, protection and planting of trees aids in the stabilization of soil by the prevention of erosion and sedimentation, reduces stormwater runoff and the potential damage it may create, increases groundwater recharge thus enhancing the groundwater supply to streams and wetlands and the yield of water supply wells, aids in the removal of pollutants from the air and assists in the generation of oxygen, provides a buffer and screen against noise and pollution, provides protection against severe weather, dramatically reduces "urban heat effect," aids in the control ofdrainage and restoration ofdenuded soil subsequent to construction or

llution, provides protection against severe weather, dramatically reduces "urban heat effect," aids in the control ofdrainage and restoration ofdenuded soil subsequent to construction or grading, provides a haven for birds and other wildlife and otherwise enhances the environment, protects and increases property values, conserves and enhances the Township's physical and aesthetic appearance, and generally protects the public health, mental health, and safety as well as the general welfare. b. Numerous governmental, professional, educational and business sources have cited the importance of trees to our well-being: "One acre of forest absorbs six tons of carbon dioxide and puts out four tons ofoxygen, enough to meet the annual needs of 18 people." (U.S. Department ofAgriculture). In one study, 83% ofrealtors expressed the beliefthat 1