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Seattle’s trees and urban forest are vital to keeping our city healthy and livable. Trees and the urban forest comprise a vital green infrastructure. Trees reduce air pollution, storm water runoff and climate impacts like heat island effects, while providing essential habitat for birds and other wildlife. They are important for the physical and mental health of our residents.
Seattle’s rapid growth and an outdated tree ordinance are reducing these beneficial effects as trees are removed and not replaced. It is urgent to act now to stop this continued loss of trees, particularly large mature trees and tree groves. It is important to promote environmental equity as trees are replaced.
Please update Seattle’s Tree Protection Ordinance as recommended in the latest draft by the Seattle Urban Forestry Commission.
Here are the key provisions that need to be in the updated tree ordinance:
1. Expand the existing Tree Removal and Replacement Permit Program, including 2-week public notice and posting on-site, as used by the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) – to cover all Significant Trees (6” and larger diameter at breast height (DBH)) on private property in all land use zones, both during development and outside development.
2. Require the replacement of all Significant Trees removed with trees that in 25 years will reach equivalent canopy volume – either on site or pay a replacement fee into a City Tree Replacement and Preservation Fund. Allow the Fund to also accept fines, donations, grants and set up easements.
3. Retain current protections for Exceptional Trees and reduce the upper threshold for Exceptional Trees to 24” DBH, protect tree groves and prohibit Significant Trees being removed on undeveloped lots.
4. Allow removal of no more than 2 Significant non-Exceptional Trees in 3 years per lot outside development
5. Establish one citywide database for applying for Tree Removal and Replacement Permits and to track changes in the tree canopy.
6. Post online all permit requests and permit approvals for public viewing.
7. Expand SDOT’s existing tree service provider’s registration and certification to register all Tree Service Providers (arborists) working on trees in Seattle.
8. Provide adequate funding in the budget to implement and enforce the updated ordinance.
16 Comments
Woody Wheeler · December 22, 2021 at 11:53 pm
I have nine of these yard signs in Ravenna that are available for others to install at their homes. Just email me if you would like one and can pick it up in Ravenna.
Rachel LaRoche · February 3, 2022 at 3:37 am
Victory Heights
Kathleen Stout · April 7, 2022 at 4:58 pm
I would love to get a yard sign from you.
Celia Matson · May 3, 2022 at 5:33 pm
Need yard signs. Shoreline just clear another full block with many mature fir trees near me. Need to protest, even though I live in Seattle. We’re next–with light rail coming soon, townhouses and apartments can’t be far behind. Thanks for any help.
DontClearcutSeattle · May 4, 2022 at 6:17 am
Sure! Happy to get you a yardsign. I’ll send you an email.
Woody Wheeler · May 5, 2022 at 2:22 am
Let me know if you can pick up a sign in the Ravenna neighborhood of Seattle. Email me and I will give you the address.
Bernice Maslan · May 16, 2022 at 5:06 pm
I’d like to get a new tree sign please, for the Greenwood neighborhood.
DontClearcutSeattle · May 27, 2022 at 9:27 pm
Sure! Happy to get you a yardsign. I’ll send you an email.
Pam James · June 3, 2022 at 1:32 pm
I’d love to pick up yard signs for myself and neighbors. I live in N Ballard.
DontClearcutSeattle · June 17, 2022 at 4:55 am
Sure; happy to get you a yardsign. I’ll send you an email.
Jan Herdman · June 27, 2022 at 9:30 pm
I would love to get several yard signs for myself and neighbors. We live in Maple Leaf. Thanks!
DontClearcutSeattle · July 6, 2022 at 2:32 am
Happy to get you some yardsigns. I’ll contact you via email. Thanks!!
Mireia · August 9, 2022 at 3:51 am
I’d love to pick up a yard sign for my yard. I live in Mountlake Terrace.
DontClearcutSeattle · September 28, 2022 at 3:42 am
Sure! I’ll contact you via email.
Mike · November 3, 2022 at 11:03 pm
I would love to pick up a yard sign for my yard! I live in South Seattle and am passionate about this issue!
DontClearcutSeattle · November 29, 2022 at 4:35 am
I’ll contact you via email re pickup locations near you. Thanks!
Comments are closed.