Uncategorized
Anne Arundel County Tree Management in the Critical Area
The Chesapeake Bay Critical Area is a resource protection program that governs land use within 1,000 feet of high tide or tidal wetlands in the Chesapeake Bay within Maryland. Everyone living within this area should become familiar with the important rules for protection/curation of vegetation/trees on their property. As of 2014, this law has been updated in Anne Arundel County. County law designates two areas within the critical area for purposes of Vegetation Management:
THE BUFFER AREA
Within 100 feet of shores, wetlands and streams with tidal influence; and any attached marsh or banks of 15 degree slope plus 50 feet. This area is more tightly managed because 90% of stormwater pollution can be stopped by this buffer. The County is taking protection of this buffer area very seriously.
A Standard Vegetation Management Plan is needed for removing or significant pruning of ANY vegetation, including trees in danger of toppling onto structures, and standing dead trees. Other covered activities include eradication of invasive species and non-structural access paths to the water (mulch only, wood or gravel require more permitting from Planning and Zoning). Paths more than 6 feet wide will have more issues to deal with as well.
a) Complete, sign and submit a Standard Vegetation Management Plan to the Anne Arundel County Office of the County Forester for approval prior to beginning work. Approval can take from 1 to 10 days depending on the complexity of your request.
b) Requests must include a property sketch indicating the on-site location of the vegetation or individual trees to be removed. Requests submitted without a sketch may be rejected. Photographs of the area and problem situation can speed approvals.
c) Trees removed must be replaced 1:1 somewhere on the property, though large species may be replaced with smaller species. Only native vegetation can be used.
d) Pruning of trees must be performed to industry standards (ANSI A300) and may only be performed by the homeowner or a State of Maryland Licensed Tree Expert. Work not performed to standard may be reported to the Department of Inspections and Permits. Topping of trees will not be approved and is a violation.
- Planting vegetation
- Maintaining an existing lawn
- Transplanting existing vegetation
THE CRITICAL AREA OUTSIDE THE BUFFER
Between the 100 foot buffer and the 1000 foot Critical Area boundary, the management practices have been simplified.
Only areas over 5000 sq. ft. require the Standard Vegetation Management Plan.
a) 5000 sq. ft. = a square approximately 70 feet on a side = about 3 large mature trees. The area is calculated on the spread of the tree’s canopy.
b) Trees removed must be replaced 1:1 somewhere on the property, though large species may be replaced with smaller species. Only native vegetation can be used.
In general:
– Requests for the removal of individual trees (only) that are submitted with photos and a narrative description detailing the need for removal may be processed expeditiously.
– Email forms (call the Forestry Program for address) to increase speed.
– Stumps can be ground, but not extracted.
– Ground disturbance greater than 1000 sq. ft. may require a revegetation plan with native plants.
-Trees should be pruned to industry standards.
If you have questions, need advice, or check on a neighbor’s vegetation work, contact the County’s Forestry Program at 410.222.7441. You can also download the Standard Vegetation Management Plan form at:
http://www.aacounty.org/PlanZone/Development/VegetationManagement.cfm
Some additional information on development in the Critical Area:
http://www.aacounty.org/PlanZone/FAQs/DevelopFAQ.cfm
