TITLE
Recommendation to request City Manager update and revise the policies and procedures related to the City’s Tree Maintenance Policy and urban wildlife policy, including nesting birds. Direct City Manager to reevaluate the standard operating procedure, including, but not limited to inspections by a trained biologist, when trimming or removing City trees that have evidence indicating an active bird nest. Also, direct City Manager to report back on the feasibility and costs associated with establishing a program to pro-actively inspect trees for urban wildlife that are scheduled for trimming and removal.
DISCUSSION
BACKGROUND:
Currently, the Public Works Department administers Section 14.28 of the Long Beach Municipal Code (LBMC) which defines policy for trees and shrubs in the public right of way. The City of Long Beach is committed to preserving and protecting the community’s urban forest and promoting the health and safety of City trees, from the time they are planted through maturity, however certain situations may call for the removal and replacement of City trees.
In general, the City will only remove or allow removal of a street tree if it is dead, dying, diseased, uprooted, damaged, and in danger of falling, or where tree root-damaged sidewalks and curbing cannot otherwise be safely corrected. The City will not allow the removal of a tree solely because of leaf, flower, berry debris, or personal preference. The Director of Public Works or his/her designee is authorized to approve or deny all tree removal requests, with an emphasis on preserving the urban forest.
This item seeks to provide proper environmental stewardship and revise the City’s Tree Maintenance Policy establishing that tree maintenance and removal must be conducted in an environmentally friendly manner and in compliance with all environmental regulations, including the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, and with all regulations determined by the California Coastal Commission for trees locate...
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