District of ColumbiaDC had to issue some Long Bridge tree removal permits
Under a temporary 2025 law, DC’s mayor had to issue removal permits for certain Heritage Trees at the Long Bridge site if all conditions were met.
What it does
For Heritage Trees on or next to the Long Bridge site, the mayor had to issue removal permits if no reasonable design could avoid them and city foresters found they could not be protected. Applicants also had to meet the relocation test and agree to pay $1,200 per inch around each tree.
Argument forWhen all the tests are met, a permit could help the rail project proceed past a tree that cannot reasonably be avoided or protected.
Argument againstA required permit could lead to a Heritage Tree being cut down even when moving it is possible but would cost over $1 million.
More detail
The mayor had to issue a Heritage Tree removal permit when all the listed tests were met. The tree had to be on or next to the Long Bridge project site managed by the Virginia Passenger Rail Authority. No reasonable project design could avoid the tree, and the Urban Forestry Division had to find that it could not reasonably be protected in place. The applicant had to show that moving the tree would cost more than $1 million or unduly burden the public. The applicant also had to agree to pay $1,200 for each inch of the distance around the tree. The permit rule took effect after the mayor approved it on August 1, 2025, and lasted no longer than 90 days.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed 1st Chamber
- Passed 2nd Chamber
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2025
- Aug 8Act A26-0126 Published in DC Register Vol 72 and Page 008605, Expires on Oct 30, 2025Latest
- Aug 1Returned from Mayor
- Aug 1Signed by the Mayor and Enacted with Act Number A26-0126, Expires on Oct 30, 2025Became Law
- Jul 28Transmitted to Mayor, Response Due on Aug 11, 2025To Governor
- Jul 14Final ReadingMinor
- Vote recorded Final Reading. Result: pass.Legislature
- Jul 14Retained by the Council
- Jul 11B26-0319 Introduced by Councilmember Allen at Office of the SecretaryIntroduced
Environment & EnergyTransportation