District of ColumbiaMayor had to permit qualifying Long Bridge Heritage Tree removals
For 225 days, the mayor had to issue removal permits for Heritage Trees at or beside the Virginia Passenger Rail Authority's Long Bridge site when all conditions were met.
What it does
For a Heritage Tree at or beside the Virginia Passenger Rail Authority's Long Bridge site, the mayor had to issue a removal permit if no reasonable design could avoid it and it could not reasonably be protected in place. Moving it also had to cost over $1 million or unduly burden the public, and the applicant had to agree to pay $1,200 per inch around the tree.
Argument forIf the design, protection, and relocation tests were met and the applicant agreed to pay $1,200 per inch, a permit could help Long Bridge work proceed.
Argument againstEven when every condition was met, a permit could lead to the loss of a Heritage Tree at or beside the Virginia Passenger Rail Authority's Long Bridge site.
More detail
The mayor had to issue a Heritage Tree removal permit when all required conditions were met. This applied to Heritage Trees at or beside 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, and agree to pay $1,200 for each inch around the tree. The rule ended 225 days after the act took effect.
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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
- Oct 1Law Number L26-0049 Effective from Oct 01, 2025, Expires on May 14, 2026Latest
- Aug 19Transmitted to CongressMinor
- Aug 15Act A26-0135 Published in DC Register Vol 72 and Page 008939
- Aug 12Returned from Mayor
- Aug 11Signed by the Mayor and Enacted with Act Number A26-0135Became Law
- Jul 31Transmitted to Mayor, Response Due on Aug 14, 2025To Governor
- Jul 28Final Reading, CCMinor
- Vote recorded Final Reading, CC. Result: pass.Legislature
- Jul 18Notice of Intent to Act on B26-0320 Published in the District of Columbia Register
- Jul 14First ReadingMinor
- Vote recorded First Reading. Result: pass.Legislature
- Jul 14Retained by the Council
- Jul 11B26-0320 Introduced by Councilmember Allen at Office of the SecretaryIntroduced
Environment & EnergyTransportation