Tree Harvesting Ordinance

Trees stabilize the soil and control water pollution by reducing soil erosion, flooding, air pollution, and providing a natural habitat for wildlife. Municipalities can implement a tree harvesting ordinance that regulates timber harvesting in the municipality. Such an ordinance could include provisions requiring loggers to prepare a map detailing the location of streams, steep slopes, wetlands, proposed skid trails and logging roads, and areas to be harvested. The map should be accompanied by a management and regeneration plan describing the best management practices that will be used to reduce any negative environmental impacts to natural resources and how the site will be regenerated to a safe and natural state.