Tree Action Plan: A 20-Year Strategic Plan To Conserve and Manage Fairfax County's Urban Forest

Tree Action Plan
A 20-Year Strategic Plan to Conserve and

Manage Fairfax County’s Urban Forest
December 2006
Prepared by the
Tree Action Plan Work Group
Penny Firth, Tree Commission, Co-Chair
Eleanor Quigley, Tree Commission, Co-Chair
Ron Rubin, Tree Commission, Alternate Chair
Tanya Amrhein, Stormwater Planning Division, DPWES
Kay Fowler, Fairfax ReLeaf, Inc.
Harry Glasgow, Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District
Christin Jolicoeur, Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District
Noel Kaplan, Planning Division, DPZ
Ed Karch, Fairfax ReLeaf, Inc.
Krystal Kearns, Stormwater Planning Division, DPWES
Michael Knapp, Urban Forest Management Division, DPWES
Susan Langdon, Zoning Evaluation Division, DPZ
Jim McGlone, Virginia Department of Forestry
Lyle McLaren, Environmental Quality Advisory Committee
Edward Nantamu, Fairfax County Health Department
Douglas Petersen, Urban Forest Management Division, DPWES
Heather Schinkel, Resource Management Division, FCPA
John Regan, Private Land Developer
Jessica Strother, Urban Forest Management Division, DPWES
Ronald Tuttle, Stormwater Planning Division, DPWES
Ellen Vogel, Virginia Department of Transportation
Ben Wharton, Park Operations Division, FCPA
Tree Action Plan December 2006 Page 1 of 64

Table of Contents
Preface
Chapter 1
Vision and Goals for our Urban Forest
1.1 Vision and Goals
1.2 Past and Current State of Forest and Tree Resources
1.3 Subjects for Future Consideration
1.4 Stewardship Roles
1.5 Implementing and Tracking a Living Tree Action Plan
1.6 Connection to Board’s Environmental Agenda
Chapter 2
Core Recommendations
2.1 Engage and Educate
2.2 Build Strong Partnerships and Alliances
2.3 Optimize Tree Conservation in County Policies
2.4 Improve Air Quality and Address Climate Change through
Tree Conservation
2.5 Improve Water Quality and Stormwater Management through Tree
Conservation
2.6 Use Ecosystem Management to Improve and Sustain the Health and
Diversity of our Urban Forest
2.7 Strengthen State-Enabling Authority for Tree Conservation
2.8 Encourage Sustainable Design Practices
2.9 Plant and Protect Trees by Streams, Streets and Trails
2.10 Optimize Tree Conservation in Land Development
2.11 Optimize Tree Conservation in Utility and Public Facility Projects
2.12 Support and Refine the County’s Urban Forestry Programs
Chapter 3
Implementation and Lead Agencies
3.4 Improve Air Quality and Address Climate Change through
Tree Conservation
3.5 Improve Water Quality and Stormwater Management through Tree
Conservation
3.6 Use Ecosystem Management to Improve and Sustain the Health and
Diversity of our Urban Forest
3.7 Strengthen State-Enabling Authority for Tree Conservation

Table of Contents
Chapter 3 continued.
3.9 Plant and Protect Trees by Streams, Streets and Trails
3.11 Optimize Tree Conservation in Utility and Public Facility Projects
3.12 Support and Refine the County’s Urban Forestry Programs
Appendices
Appendix 1: Recent efforts to acquire state enabling authority to conserve trees
during land development.
Appendix 2: Recent Board matters regarding tree preservation policies.
Appendix 3: Members of the Fairfax County Tree Commission
Managed meadow and trees near the Herrity Building

at the Fairfax County Government Center
Photo provided by Urban Forest Management Division

Preface
Awareness of rapid canopy loss in the early 1970’s prompted Fairfax County to adopt
its first tree preservation and planting ordinance by 1973, and since that time, to engage
the community in processes to examine ways to limit the loss of tree cover during land
development. In 1995, after consulting with local delegates to the Virginia State
Assembly, the county was advised to exhaust all opportunities to optimize local
practices and processes before seeking to enact new state enabling tree preservation
codes. In response, the county chartered a Tree Preservation Task Force (TPTF) to
examine tree-related issues and to make specific recommendations to amend local
procedures, policies and local ordinances in a manner that would maximize the
preservation of existing trees during land development. The TPTF involved
representatives from the Board of Supervisors, staff from county and State agencies, the
Tree Commission, developers and citizen’s groups. Its deliberations resulted in several
amendments to the county’s Public Facilities Manual (PFM) affecting land disturbing
activities; however, continued concerns prompted the Board of Supervisors to
reconvene the Task Force in 1998.
In 1999, the TPTF published 37 recommendations that included proposals: to enhance

the review of proposed zoning cases by the County Urban Forester; amend the Policy
Plan text of the Comprehensive Plan in order to place greater emphasis on the
preservation of existing trees; amend the PFM to provide incentives for developers to
preserve trees; and, to conduct periodic tree cover analyses. In 1999, the Board of
Supervisors adopted all 37 of the recommendations and directed county staff to
implement them.
From 1999 to 2002, as a direct result of the TPTF recommendations, tree preservation
and planting-related amendments to the Comprehensive Plan Policy Plan, the PFM, the
Subdivision Ordinance, and the Erosion and Sediment Control Ordinance were
adopted. The Tree Preservation Task Force continued to meet until 2003. The last
major TPTF activity involved endorsement of the proposed amendment to State Code
of Virginia § 15.2-961., entitled “Replacement of Trees during Development Process.”
In October 2004, Chairman Connolly met with the Tree Commission 1 to discuss the
future of the TPTF and the relevance of trees and forests to the Board’s Environmental
Agenda (this document, entitled Environmental Excellence for Fairfax County can be found
at: www.fairfaxcounty.gov/living/environment/eip/environmentalagenda.pdf ).
During this meeting Chairman Connolly announced that the TPTF would not be
reconvened, but in its place, he charged the Tree Commission to develop a
comprehensive Tree Action Plan and to take that plan before the Board’s Environmental
Committee for consideration. By April of 2005, the Tree Commission had approved a
draft plan which was presented to Chairman Connolly in June, 2005, and to the Board’s
Environmental Committee in September, 2005.
1
The members of the Fairfax County Tree Commission are listed in Appendix 3
The Environmental Committee directed the Urban Forest Management Division
(UFMD) to develop specific actions to implement the conceptual goals and strategies
contained in the Tree Action Plan Framework. In response, UFMD staff developed 76
actions to accompany the Tree Action Plan.
In December 2005, after reviewing the 76 action prepared by UFMD and surmising that
these had significant potential to impact the policies and practices of numerous county
and Virginia State agencies, local non-governmental organizations, and the land
development industry, the Board’s Environmental Committee directed UFMD to form a
“Working Group” (Tree Action Plan Work Group (TAP Work Group) ) comprised of
representatives from various stakeholders to work collaboratively on the Tree Action
Plan. The Board’s Environmental Committee charged the TAP Work Group to:
• examine the feasibility of the concepts and strategies contained in the original
Tree Commission Action Plan Framework
• examine the feasibility of implementing the 76 actions step tactics prepared by
UFMD
• prepare implementation plans for the concepts and actions that are found to be
feasible from both the Framework and 76 action steps
• submit a final report with recommendations for review by Environmental
Committee by January 2007 (or sooner if possible)
As directed, in April 2006, a work group of county staff, tree commissioners, Virginia
State forestry and transportation agency officials, non-governmental organization
representatives and a land development industry representative convened for the first
time to work on the charge. The TAP Work Group met numerous times during 2006 to
reach consensus on this plan. The Tree Commission endorsed the plan on December 6,
2006.

Chapter 1
Vision and Goals for Our Urban Forest
The Board of Supervisors’ Environmental Agenda sets a far-sighted goal: To leave our
land, water and air quality better than we found it. 2 Trees are central to an investment
portfolio of water quality, air quality, and quality of life (Figure 1).
Figure 1. Benefits of trees.
The Board of Supervisors’ goal requires that we not simply find more effective ways to
preserve mature tree stands. We must also increase our forests, put trees at the center
of comprehensive planning, set clear and measurable milestones to track progress
toward our goals, and institute simple but effective communication capabilities to
inform and educate the public, the private sector and government officials about the
value of trees and efforts to preserve and restore them.
1.1 Vision and Goals
We envision a county that changes both form and function as a network of wooded
greenways grows over the next decades. The network will be established along existing
corridors of transportation, recreation and water. As the network grows and expands,
water quality, air quality, and quality of life will all improve. The Fairfax County of
tomorrow will be a case study for urban forestry and will show how the “commons”
can be valued and enhanced by thoughtful planning and bold action.
2
Board of Supervisors’ Environmental Agenda page 13
Figure 2. Vision and role of actions recommended in this plan.
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The actions proposed in this plan are focused on three goals that will help us achieve
our vision: 1) Commit to preserve current tree assets by fostering health and
regeneration of specimen trees and urban forest; 2) Enhance the legacy for future
generations by increasing the quantity and quality of trees and wooded areas; and 3)
More effectively integrate urban forestry with planning and policy making.
Framework Goal 1: Commit to Preserve Current Tree Assets
Despite the rapid loss of trees in recent decades, we still have tree assets that can, and
should, be preserved by fostering the health, viability and regeneration of our urban
forest. Principles to follow in taking action include:
1. Strengthen ordinances, oversight, and enforcement.
2. Protect trees along corridors of transportation, recreation, and water: roadways,
trails, sidewalks and streams.
3. Manage and maintain different forest ecosystems appropriately. Plant
communities each have unique environmental requirements and this should be
reflected in management practices.
4. Emphasize education for homeowners and businesses --- RPA’s, air quality
goals, the multiple roles of trees and woodlands;
5. Use and promote conservation easements and other restrictive deeds to preserve
trees and forest integrity.
6. Link county ordinances to Federal regulatory statutes.
7. Establish partnerships to achieve shared goals.

Framework Goal 2: Enhance the Legacy for Future Generations
In order to leave a better environment for the future, Fairfax County needs to increase
the quantity and quality of trees and wooded areas. Principles to follow in taking
action include:
1. Encourage businesses and private citizens to plant native species.
2. Make sustainable design practices such as green roofs and rain gardens a
countywide goal.
3. Develop desirable and effective incentives to encourage tree planting.
4. Demonstrate the county’s commitment to trees by using parks, schools and other
public lands as examples.
5. Involve schools and youth groups.
6. Establish public-private partnerships that help large landholders and
homeowners associations manage common land for existing and future trees.
Framework Goal 3: Increase the Effectiveness of Urban Forestry

with Planning and Policymaking
The Board of Supervisor’s Environmental Agenda states “the environmental impact of

every decision the county makes must be carefully and purposefully evaluated.
Environmental concerns should not be trade-offs or compromises; rather they should be
one of the essential decision making criteria.” In order to correct the mis-calibration
between human intentions and ecological results, planning will need to consider the
urban forest as a continuous resource regardless of ownership boundaries. Principles to
follow in taking action include:
1. Set thresholds and indicators for tree preservation areas, tree planting, and forest
cover in order to optimize for the benefits provided by trees (air quality, water
quality, quality of life) in the finite space of the county.
2. Promote the use of visualization tools so that the public can see the progress
being made in planting and preserving trees.
3. Emphasize the economic benefits of protection and preservation over restoration.
4. Incorporate proactive care, management and maintenance to help assure the
success of preservation efforts.
The actions recommended in this Plan follow the urban forestry model (Table 1), aimed
at making both public and private investments successful by the measure of trees.

Table 1. Urban Forestry model for comprehensive planning.
Common Development Model Urban Forestry Model

• Trees have low priority • Trees are integrated into urban
• Trees as ornaments planning
• Individual Trees • Trees as infrastructure
• Use of non-native and invasive • Forest ecosystems with a wide
trees range of organisms
• Lawn and Paving • Emphasis on native trees that do
• Tree maintenance not threaten local ecosystems
• Man-made infrastructure-based • Vegetative ground cover &
design pervious paving
• Forest management
• Soil/Ecological-based design

1.2 Past and Current State of Forest and Tree Resources
Since the appearance of European settlements in the 17th Century, Fairfax County’s tree
canopy coverage has fluctuated greatly. At the time of Captain John Smith’s initial
exploration in the early 1600’s, the Chesapeake Bay region was estimated to have 95
percent of its landmass covered with tree canopy. 3 Historic evidence suggests that by
the middle of the 19th century timber harvesting, agriculture, and military activities had
reduced tree canopy levels to approximately 30 percent in Northern Virginia.
Canopy levels increased after the Civil War, when large-scale land clearing for military
purposes ceased, but widespread agriculture still kept the county’s canopy coverage in
the 30 to 40 percent range for nearly a century. The abandonment of agricultural uses in
the middle of the 20th century was accompanied by a rapid wave of natural
reforestation. By the late 1960’s, when the eastern portion of Fairfax County was
described as suburban “bedroom community” to Washington D.C., agricultural uses
were gradually abandoned in front of the wave of land development that generally
traveled from east to west across the county. The sharp decrease in farming activities
coupled with modest levels of land development allowed the county’s canopy cover to
rise to approximately 80 percent in the early 1970’s.
Fairfax County’s tree canopy is currently estimated to cover 104,000 acres or 41 percent
of Fairfax County’s landmass of 252,828 acres. Our overall tree canopy is comprised of
68 percent native forests (70,720 acres) that typically occur on public parklands,
commonly owned open spaces, and on larger, privately owned parcels. Our native
forests can be divided into 31 distinct vegetation communities, some of which are rare
and threatened. The remaining 32 percent of the county’s tree canopy (33,280 acres) is
comprised of: planted landscape variety trees (typically found in residential open
spaces, and in more formal commercial, institutional and industrial settings); areas with
early succession-stage tree communities (typically found in undeveloped parcels and
open space where young native trees are starting to cover areas previously kept in turf
grasses); and, areas dominated by invasive trees and non-native plant species (typically
found along highways, utility corridors, and adjacent unattended parcels).
Our percentage of tree canopy coverage compares favorably with that found in other
urbanized areas of Virginia that average 35.3 percent, and with urbanized areas of
Maryland which average 40.1 percent. 4 Our present level of tree canopy also
corresponds closely to that recommended by American Forests (40 percent) as the
overall tree canopy goal for communities east of the Mississippi River and the level of
canopy needed to sustain the delivery of environmental and socio-economic benefits
required to sustain an acceptable quality of life within those communities. Why does
3
Data from: The State of Chesapeake Forests. 2006. The Conservation Fund and the USDA Forest Service,
Northeastern Area, State and Private Forestry
4
Data from: Connecting People with Ecosystems in the 21st Century: An Assessment of Our Nation’s Urban
Forests (2000), The USDA Forest Service publication. And the Fairfax County Urban Forest Management Division

Fairfax County have a comparably high level of tree canopy coverage left? Two major
factors are thought to have contributed:
1. Pre-development boom tree canopy levels were high. As already described, rapid
forest regeneration occurred in the 1960’s and 1970’s on former agricultural land as
it was gradually abandoned prior to urbanization. In 1973, satellite imagery shows
that the county’s landmass was covered with 200,000 acres (79 percent) of tree cover,
and in 1986 180,000 acres (71 percent).
2. Fairfax County’s early commitment to tree conservation. In 1973, just as

urbanization started gaining momentum, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors
adopted requirements to preserve and plant trees on development sites and
committed significant resources to administer and enforce those requirements. It is
impossible to quantify the exact impact that the county’s tree preservation and
planting requirements have had on tree canopy levels, but when compared to other
urbanized jurisdictions in Virginia, Fairfax County has nearly six percent more tree
canopy. In terms of Fairfax County’s total landmass, six percent equates to over
15,000 acres of tree canopy.
However, even though we enjoy relatively high levels of tree canopy compared with
other urban areas, change detection analyses demonstrate that Fairfax County has
actually lost 48 percent of its tree canopy over the last 32 years. Along with the physical
loss of trees, Fairfax County has lost significant levels of environmental services that
were provided by those trees. For example, the 85,600 acres of canopy lost since 1973
had the capacity to remove approximately 2.4 million combined pounds of sulfur
dioxide, carbon monoxide, ozone and particulate matter annually, at a value of
approximately $6.8 million per year. 5 In addition to air quality benefits, the county also
lost significant levels of water quality, energy conservation and other socio-economic
and environmental benefits with those trees.
Forests now cover approximately 58 percent of the total Chesapeake Bay watershed.
This percentage represents a modest increase over that found 50 years ago
(approximately 54 percent). However, the tree canopy levels of urban jurisdictions in
the Chesapeake Bay watershed tend to have declined during that same time period.
Some 750,000 acres of tree canopy (an area equivalent to 20 Washington, D.C.s) in the
Chesapeake Bay watershed have been developed since the 1980s. During roughly the
same time period, the Chesapeake Bay watershed is estimated to have experienced a net
loss of forestland at the rate of 100 acres a day. 6
5
Data from American Forests report: 1999 Urban Ecosystem Analysis of Fairfax County, Virginia
6
Data from: The State of Chesapeake Forests. 2006. The Conservation Fund and the USDA Forest Service,
Northeastern Area, State and Private Forestry
1.3 Subjects for Future Consideration
As the county continues to approach a theoretical state of “build out” and as the
amount of vacant land decreases, the rate of canopy loss from land development is
predicted to slow. However, given recent trends in infill development, redevelopment,
and real estate values, it is reasonable to expect that our community will need to
continue conserving tree resources during the development of land for many years to
come. In addition to land development, we will also need to carefully monitor the
following human activities and ecological and environmental processes for the next 20
years:
• Expansion of public roads, highways and other transportation corridors.
• Continual fragmentation of forested tracts to facilitate installation, expansion and
maintenance of utilities and other infrastructure.
• Development and expansion of governmental facilities.
• Development and expansion of active recreational facilities such as athletic fields.
• Tree removal occurring in residential areas brought about by differing cultural
values.
• Continual introduction and proliferation of invasive plant species.
• Introduction and damage caused by exotic forest pests such as the emerald ash
borer and Asian longhorn beetle.
• Degradation of native forests by unmanaged deer populations.
• Disposal of yard debris and household chemicals; turfgrass expansion; forest
understory clearing; and, other human-related impacts.
• Impacts of climate change on tree species and other organisms that inhabit forest
ecosystems.
Either individually or collectively, these processes have the potential to seriously

threaten the extent, health and functionality of our urban forest. Although factored into
the development of this plan, the strategies, tactics and actions devised to manage the
impact of these processes must continue to be reviewed for effectiveness and for
opportunities for improvement. With this concept in mind, this plan is offered as a
“living document” as further described in Section 1.5.
Countywide tree cover image

processed from year 2000
satellite imagery.
Image provided by Urban Forest Management Division

1.4 Stewardship Roles
County staff has central tree-related roles in planning and design, management,
coordination, partnering and education and outreach (Figure 4). The Board of
Supervisors sets overall policy that is expressed through guidance, directives, resources
and other mechanisms. County policy is, in turn, informed, enabled and constrained by
state enabling authority, federal and regional statutes and ordinances and public
opinion (figure 4).
Figure 4. County policy considerations and County staff roles
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In reaction to the current limitations of the Virginia State Code in regard to tree
conservation, the county has attempted to increase its tree preservation authority in
several recent legislative sessions by seeking amendments to the tree cover provisions
of State Code of Virginia § 15.2-961. Summaries of the recent attempts to increase local
authority to require tree preservation are listed in Appendix 1. The Tree Commission
has strongly promoted these efforts and will continue to encourage the Board of
Supervisors to pursue additional authority in this regard. In addition, while the Tree
Action Plan was in development, the Board of Supervisors also adopted a number of
tree-related Board Matters. The issues discussed in these Board Matters are congruent
with the overarching goals of the Plan and they are listed in Appendix 2.
County staff roles have been, and will continue to be, critical to the success of the Tree
Action Plan. Complete realization of the vision articulated here will depend on the
combined stewardship efforts of the county, its residents and businesses, state and
federal agencies, and non-governmental organizations (Figure 5).

Figure 5. Stewardship Roles.
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1.5 Implementation and Tracking a Living Tree Action Plan
The following processes are proposed to implement and track the progress of the Tree
Action Plan:
• Tree Action Plan recommendations will be incorporated into the Environmental
Improvement Program (EIP) Annual Report.
• Individual projects, policies and budget requests will be identified in the EIP.
• The Board of Supervisors will be able to review Tree Action Plan progress and
potential staffing and funding needs through the EIP.
• The Tree Action Plan–related EIP actions will be implemented by various
agencies as identified in Chapter 3 of this report, entitled “Implementation and
Lead Agencies.”
• The Environmental Quality Advisory Council and the Tree Commission may
elect to report on Tree Action Plan progress and effectiveness within the Annual
Report on the Environment and Tree Commission Annual Report respectively.
To ensure the long-term viability of this 20-year plan, the TAP should be considered as
a “living document” with contents that can be amended over time to address new
challenges and opportunities. Accordingly, the TAP should be comprehensively
reviewed on a periodic basis. The TAP Work Group recommends that the frequency of
these reviews be determined by the Tree Commission with input from TAP
stakeholders. In general, the reviews should be scheduled frequently enough to ensure
adequate monitoring of the plan’s direction, continuity and effectiveness; yet, not so
frequent as to divert significant resources away from implementing the plan’s
recommendations. The maximum period of time between reviews should not exceed 4
years.
The TAP review should be used to evaluate the effectiveness of the implementation
plans identified in Chapter 3, and to prioritize uncompleted actions into quick hits,
short, medium and long term categories as described at the beginning of Chapter 3.
The “Lead Agencies” and “Considerations” components of Chapter 3 should also be
updated to facilitate organizational changes to lead agencies that may have occurred
and to identify any emerging challenges or new opportunities that should be addressed
in the plan.

Connection to Board’s Environmental Agenda
It is important to note, that the Board’s Environmental Agenda does not contain distinct
objectives concerning the stewardship of trees resources. The lack of tree objectives has
potential to diminish the support provided to tree-related policies, projects, and actions
identified in the annual EIP and in other policy and budget processes. For these
reasons, the Tree Action Plan Work Group strongly recommends that the Board’s
Environmental Agenda be amended so that it incorporates distinct tree-related
objectives that complement and support its existing environmental objectives.
2002 false-color image taken from high-resolution satellite imagery depicting tree cover and
major streams in urbanized areas of Dranesville and Providence Magisterial Districts

Chapter 2
Core Recommendations
Our 12 Core Recommendations below are presented in this chapter using classic
strategic planning terms that flow from the conceptual to the specific as follows: Goals
are what we are trying to accomplish in simple, high level terms; Strategies are what
we will do to accomplish our goals; and, Tactics are specific actions with tangible
results that will be used to advance our strategies.
1. Engage and Educate

2. Build Strong Partnerships and Alliances
3. Optimize Tree Conservation in County Policies
4. Improve Air Quality and Address Climate Change through
Tree Conservation
5. Improve Water Quality and Stormwater Management through Tree
Conservation
6. Use Ecosystem Management to Improve and Sustain the Health and Diversity of
our Urban Forest
7. Strengthen State-Enabling Authority for Tree Conservation
8. Encourage Sustainable Design Practices
9. Plant and Protect Trees by Streams, Streets and Trails
10 Optimize Tree Conservation in Land Development
11 Optimize Tree Conservation in Utility and Public Facility Projects
12 Support and Refine the County’s Urban Forestry Programs

2.1 Core Recommendation #1
Engage and Educate

Goals
• Foster an appreciation for trees and urban forests among the target audiences of
Fairfax County.
• Inspire target audiences to protect plant and manage vegetative communities,
including trees.
Strategies
• Develop an outreach and education plan with clear targets and measurable
results that will work to meet the goals established in the Tree Action Plan.
• Fund and implement an outreach and education program that may include
funding a communication and outreach consultant.
• Provide technical assistance and training to the public that will, among other
things, encourage the use of environmentally-friendly engineering solutions,
promote the use of natural landscaping practices and techniques and promote
the on-site treatment of runoff with bio-engineering practices.
• Develop incentives and an awards and recognition program and pursue grants.
• Provide examples via demonstrations on public lands.
Tactics
• Develop an outreach and education plan that incorporates the goals, strategies
and tactics from the various sections of the Tree Action Plan. The plan will
include a baseline assessment for monitoring and evaluation of current efforts,
including goals and needs.
• Acquire funding for the outreach and education plan, implementation of projects
and associated outreach including:
o The identification of staff and budget needs to implement the education
and outreach plan
o Exploration of funding options including the budget process and grants
• Provide technical assistance and training to target audiences including residents,
business owners, schools, consultants, service organizations, county employees,
industry, etc. that focuses on such topics as:
o The importance of managing and maintaining forest ecosystems including
management of forest pests and invasive plant species.
o The benefits of “day-lighting” of underground (piped) or lined sections of
streams where appropriate.
o The use of sustainable design principles, practices, and techniques.
• Strengthen the long-term viability of conservation easements through improved
education and enforcement.
• Evaluate existing incentives, awards, and recognition programs and develop
recommendations for expansion which may include publicizing known benefits
that act as monetary incentives to preserve and plant trees such as the increased

Engage and Educate, Tactics continued
sale value associated with wooded home sites (preserved or planted), and the
lower stormwater infrastructure costs associated with pervious land covers.
• Identify and implement demonstration projects on public lands such as an
ecosystem management demonstration project involving riparian buffers on
public land in each district by 2010, including installation of wayside exhibits
that demonstrate the need to conserve RPA’s and other water resources.
• Ensure that communication and outreach efforts are multicultural.
• Target messages to decrease negative behaviors and increase positive behaviors.
• Explore sources of grant funding for resident and HOA projects.
• Provide learning and stewardship opportunities including a countywide tree
planting program to target audiences to increase the extent of wooded riparian
areas along intermittent streams on publicly owned land and promote the same
on private and developing properties; to strengthen partnerships with nonprofit
tree planting groups; to enhance public involvement and participation in
maintenance efforts on public and private properties; and to increase land
protection activities on Agricultural and Forestal District properties.
• Notify current and prospective property owners of RPA restrictions and
conditions.
• Author and disseminate an information packet to publicize and promote the
program among target audiences that may include encouraging the members of
the Board of Supervisors and residents to support the installation of natural
landscaping and low impact development (LID) demonstration projects in their
individual districts and properties.
Volunteer tree
planting projects
help to engage
and educate the
community. In
turn the trees
planted by
volunteers help to
improve the
quality of life in
our community.

Build Strong Partnerships and Alliances

Goals
• Use partnerships to help create linkages among all aspects of the Tree Action
Plan and other resource protection and enhancement activities.
• Develop partnerships that promote implementation of the plan including
collaboration for outreach, technical expertise, policy, demonstration projects
and land management.
Strategies
• Formalize and maintain partnerships with various county, state, Federal, and
non-governmental agencies and divisions to, among other things, meet the goals
established in the Tree Action Plan; establish a framework for collaboration and
“buy-in support” on tree preservation and planting efforts associated with the
design and review of county development projects; and increase UFMD
involvement in the public facility and Comprehensive Plan review process.
• Formalize and maintain partnerships with industry-, professional- and public-
based organizations to:
o Meet the goals established in the Tree Action Plan.
o Encourage and implement tree planting on privately owned land.
o Pursue areas of mutual interest in support of improved tree preservation
and planting efforts along public roads.
o Enhance and protect trees along trails.
Tactics
• Identify existing and potential partners and establish their roles in implementing
the Tree Action Plan which may include:
o Working with utility agencies to prevent loss of tree cover in stream
corridors and associated utility easements and to identify incentives to
route utilities in a manner that preserves existing trees and to partner in
mutually beneficial projects.
o Partnering with NVRPA, the FCPA and NVCT to monitor and manage
public lands and conservation easements.
o Partnering with major landholders and organizations such as the Virginia
Department of Forestry (VDOF) and the USDA Forest Service to establish
the Urban Forest Management Plan/program and encourage cooperative
management of forestland.
o Working with Fairfax County Public Schools, the FCPA and NVRPA to
identify opportunities for planting trees near trails.
o Develop a partnership with the Health Department’s air quality program
to promote the use of urban forestry practices in future air quality
management plans.

Build Strong Partnerships and Alliances, Tactics continued
o Engaging a nonprofit entity, like the Forest Stewardship Council, to set

standards for responsible urban forest practices and to guide and accredit
responsible developers that will include providing occasional status
reports on the progress of this effort.
• Collaborate with partners to establish and maintain funding sources for the Tree
Action Plan.
• Identify and create opportunities for communication with identified partners
such as:
o Requesting one or more meetings between appropriate county staff
(Urban Forest Management Division; Department of Transportation) and
VDOT staff to identify opportunities for improvements to tree
preservation and planting efforts along public roads and developing
recommendations for consideration by the Board of Supervisors, as
appropriate, based on these discussions.
o Convening a meeting between the Forest Conservation Section of UFMD
and agencies that design and develop public facilities to develop standard
operating procedures to address tree preservation and planting in the
design and review of county projects.
• Gain backing and active support of partners in implementing the plan through
such means as:
o Continuing a strong working relationship between Stormwater Planning
Division (SWPD), UFMD and DOF staff to encourage a more unified effort
to protect, extend and/or replant riparian buffers, and to practice
ecosystem management on public land.
o Coordinating with the state and other jurisdictions to establish and
implement a regional tree-planting program with definable goals.
o Collaborating with non-county entities (e.g. VDOT, DOF, NVRC, non-
profits) on planting plans and initiatives to ensure that their tree-planting
activities support broader county environmental objectives.
o Establishing a countywide tree planting program including a
strengthening of partnerships with nonprofit tree planting groups.

Optimize Tree Conservation in County Policies

Goals
• Make county policy documents consistent as they relate to tree preservation and
planting.
• Ensure that county policy supports optimization of tree preservation and
planting.
Strategies
• Review county policy documents, including the Comprehensive Plan, the Board
of Supervisors’ Environmental Agenda, the Tree Action Plan, adopted watershed
management plans, county air quality planning documents, the Fairfax County
Park Authority’s Natural Resource Management Plan and the forthcoming
Urban Forest Management Plan to identify areas of inconsistency among these
documents relating to tree preservation and planting.
• Revise the above documents as needed and appropriate to ensure consistency.
• Amend the Comprehensive Plan as may be needed to support the maximum
attainable and sustainable tree canopy goals for the county.
Tactics
• Amend Comprehensive Plan policy to encourage the use of tree preservation and
planting practices to mitigate air pollution that might result from proposed
changes to land use and density, including tree plantings that can reduce energy
consumption, thereby reducing power plant emissions.
• Identify opportunities to align the language and direction of the Policy Plan
volume of the county’s Comprehensive Plan, the Board’s Environmental Agenda
and the Tree Action Plan, so these documents complement each other and other
county policy documents. Prepare a document that will outline these
opportunities.
• If identified as an opportunity in the document referenced in the previous bullet
point, pursue an amendment to the Comprehensive Plan to align it with other
policy documents as they address tree preservation and planting.
• Identify opportunities to crosswalk Tree Action Plan steps and Urban Forest
Management Plan tactical and strategic components with other natural resource
management plans such as watershed management plans, the Park Authority’s
Natural Resource Management Plan and the county’s air quality planning
documents. Incorporate recommendations into the document referenced in the
2nd “tactic” for this section.
• Amend Comprehensive Plan guidance as may be needed, and ensure that there
are implementation mechanisms in place to support the maximum attainable and
sustainable tree canopy goals for the county.

Optimize Tree Conservation in County Policies, Tactics continued
• Incorporate watershed-specific tree canopy goals (see Tactics that support

“Improve Water Quality and Stormwater Management through Tree
Conservation” recommendation) and related policy into the Comprehensive Plan
for consideration during the review of land development proposals, recognizing
that uniform tree canopy policies would not be appropriate within any
watershed but that smaller area analyses would be the building blocks of the
overall watershed-wide goals.

Improve Air Quality and Address Climate Change through

Tree Conservation
Goals
• Optimize tree preservation and tree planting in support of air quality
improvement and climate change considerations.
• Incorporate tree preservation and tree planting into air quality planning efforts.
Strategies
• Ensure policies and regulations promote tree preservation and planting,
including the Comprehensive Plan and the parking lot landscaping provisions of
the Zoning Ordinance.
• Partner with county, regional and state agencies to incorporate trees in air
quality planning, including efforts to use increased urban tree canopy in support
of attainment of Federal Clean Air Act requirements.
• Develop and implement tree-planting programs that target the reduction of
reactive volatile organic compound emissions, and the reduction of ambient
ozone levels.
• Develop and implement urban forestry practices that can be used to reduce the
emission of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide
• Develop and implement urban forestry and wood waste utilization practices that
can be used to encourage long-term sequestration of carbon in wood tissue
forms.
• Explore the feasibility of selling carbon sequestration credits for forested tracts
preserved in perpetuity and using this type of program to fund tree conservation
practices and projects.
Tactics
• Amend Comprehensive Plan policy to encourage the use of tree preservation and
planting practices to mitigate air pollution that might result from proposed
changes to land use and density, including tree-plantings that can reduce energy
consumption, thereby reducing power plant emissions.
• Increase current Zoning Ordinance Parking Lot Landscaping requirements.
• Establish a countywide tree-planting program, including a strengthening of
partnerships with nonprofit tree planting groups in order to enhance public
involvement and participation in planting and maintenance efforts on public and
private properties.
• Use proffered funds from land development to provide support for community
tree planting projects that are organized and conducted by non-profit tree
planting groups.

Improve Air Quality and Address Climate Change through Tree Conservation,
Tactics continued
• Conduct comprehensive cost-benefit analyses of tree-planting and maintenance

programs as a component of the establishment of a countywide tree planting
program, and in support of optimization of broader tree preservation and
maintenance efforts.
• Coordinate with the state and other jurisdictions to establish and implement a
regional tree-planting program with definable goals.
• Coordinate with the state and other jurisdictions to evaluate the potential for
inclusion of the above-mentioned tree-planting program as a practice for the
regional air quality plan for the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area.
• Develop a partnership with the Health Department’s air quality program to
promote the use of urban forestry practices in future air quality management
plans.
• Support efforts to develop and incorporate a credited tree canopy conservation
measure into the regional air quality plan for the DC-MD-VA Metropolitan Area
• Establish UFMD representation on the Environmental Coordinating Committee’s
Air Quality subcommittee.
• Provide additional tree cover credits for planting tree species that are low-
emitters of reactive volatile organic compounds in the PFM requirements for
meeting Tree Cover.
• Ensure that plant species that are planted for air quality management purposes
are non-invasive, and where possible, native to the mid-Atlantic region.
• Investigate carbon cap and trade programs and assess applicability in Fairfax
County. Investigate if this type of program could be used to fund tree
conservation practices and projects.
• Investigate the relative effectiveness of different trees species to absorb and
sequester carbon dioxide. Compile list and embed in the Tree Selection and
Cover Guide of Chapter 12 of the PFM.
• Consider providing additional tree cover credits for planting tree species that are
more effective in absorbing and storing carbon dioxide.
• Encourage Solid Waste Program and UFMD to participate in waste wood
utilization workshops such as those hosted by Metropolitan Washington Council
of Governments to investigate alternative wood waste uses that may act to
sequester carbon.
• Improve specifications within the PFM regarding reforestation/restoration of
disturbed areas, particularly in Environmental Quality Corridors and RPA’s.

Improve Water Quality and Stormwater Management

through Tree Conservation
Goals
• Link stormwater management and land use policy and regulations with
conservation of forests and riparian buffers.
• Optimize preservation of current tree assets through watershed planning and
implementation projects.
• Identify maximum, realistic and sustainable tree canopy goals on both a
countywide and individual watershed basis.
Strategies
• Adopt an overall goal to minimize loss, sustain and, if possible increase tree
canopy coverage by a specified target date and encourage measures to attain
these goals in accordance with the Chesapeake Executive Council Directives No.
03-01, and No. 06-1.
• Embed tree canopy goals as strategic and tactical planning components of each
of the 30 watershed management plans being prepared to address Chesapeake
2000 Agreement goals in Fairfax County.
• Incorporate the forest protection strategies and tactics identified in the
Chesapeake Executive Council 2006 Directive No. 06-1 in our local watershed
management plans.
• Commit to maximum, realistic and sustainable tree canopy goals on county-
owned property.
Tactics
• Correlate water quality and watershed health data collected by Fairfax County
with available tree canopy and impervious surfacing data.
• Conduct a Strategic Urban Forest Assessment to develop maximum, realistic and
sustainable tree canopy goals for each of the county’s watersheds.
• Continue to fund the acquisition of “leaf on” high-resolution satellite imagery on
a five-year basis in order to conduct a Strategic Urban Forest Assessment.
• Review and, where appropriate, amend pertinent ordinances and land use
policies to adopt and implement maximum, realistic and sustainable tree canopy
goals.
• Revise and implement a runoff value for mature forest condition to encourage
tree preservation as a stormwater management incentive.
• Research the extent to which other localities have pursued efforts to establish tree
cover goals and evaluate the applicability to Fairfax County.
• Develop and implement methodology for assessing and reporting progress.

Use Ecosystem Management to Improve and Sustain the

Health and Diversity of our Urban Forest
Goals
• Optimize preservation of current tree assets through ecosystem management.
• Manage the forest ecosystems holistically by taking into account the wide range
of organisms that make up and inhabit forests.
• Improve our ability to ensure optimal, long-term natural resource management
in conservation easements.
Strategies
• Develop a comprehensive Urban Forest Management Plan.
• Establish meaningful quantitative metrics for tracking success of forest
ecosystem management initiatives.
• Manage the county’s urban forest as a functional ecosystem and factor climate
change into urban forest management plans.
• Partner with other landholders to manage forest systems across boundaries.
• Expand and protect the urban forest by establishing parkland and other
protected areas.
• Review and, where appropriate, revise legal language used in conservation
easement agreements for easements dedicated to the county to address long-term
management concerns.
• Implement a comprehensive and proactive forest pest and invasive species
management program
• Work with animal control to integrate sustainable forest management into the
deer management program.
Tactics
• Generate and adopt specific recommendations within the comprehensive Urban
Forest Management Plan to address forest health issues, ecosystem management,
and measuring mechanisms (biometrics) for tracking, and regenerative capacity.
• Ensure that trees are an integral component of master planning and design for
parks, particularly parks with playing fields.
• Partner with major landholders such as the Fairfax County Park Authority,
National Park Service and other organizations such as the VDOF and the USDA
Forest Service to establish the Urban Forest Management Plan/program and
encourage cooperative management of forest land.
• Address the emerging challenges caused by climate change in urban forest
management.
• Use regenerative capacity, i.e. ability of the forests to replace themselves as
healthy native ecosystems, as the measure of success.

Use Ecosystem Management to Improve and Sustain the Health and Diversity
of our Urban Forest, Tactics continued
• Establish a working knowledge on the part of staff and the community about the
importance of managing and maintaining forest ecosystems including
management of forest pests, invasive plant species and deer herds.
• Identify invasive plant species and forest pests and formulate strategies to
control their effects. Include control strategies in the comprehensive Urban
Forest Management Plan as well as in site-specific recommendations.
• Coordinate with the Office of the County Attorney to initiate appropriate
changes to conservation easement agreements to provide for effective natural
resource management while allowing for reasonable use and enjoyment of these
areas.
• Establish a comprehensive inventory of conservation easements in Fairfax
County and incorporate into the county’s Geographic Information System.
• Strengthen the long-term viability of conservation easements through improved
education and enforcement.
• Use current and emerging prescriptions to control and manage deer populations
and protect urban forest environments. Coordinate with animal control on
public lands.
• Continue to fund the National Vegetation Classification System (NVCS)
mapping of vegetative communities in the county to obtain data for countywide
forest ecosystem management.
• Develop specific, ecosystem-based, forest management plans and prescriptions
and offer tailored assistance to landowners.
• Develop specific, ecosystem-based, forest management plans for county
properties.
• Acquire land, including acquisition of parkland and through establishment of
conservation easements, to expand and connect greenways.
• Partner with NVRPA, the FCPA and NVCT to monitor and manage public lands
and conservation easements.
• Continue to incorporate trees in urban parks.

Strengthen State-Enabling Authority for Tree

Conservation
Goals
• Work for passage of State enabling legislation for more stringent tree
conservation measures.
• Pursue appropriate legislative and/or code changes to enhance awareness of
RPA’s by land owners.
Strategies
• Promote strengthened enabling legislation through regional consensus.
• Require disclosure of RPA’s in real estate transactions.
• Require the delineation of RPA’s on land plats.
Tactics
• Continue efforts to build an inter-jurisdictional consensus that promotes stronger
state enabling authority to conserve trees during land development.
• Link proposed tree conservation legislation to larger regulatory pressures.
• Continue to quantify the environmental benefits of forest and tree cover and
articulate what the loss of tree cover does to the local and regional economy and
quality of life. This will support efforts to establish tree preservation enabling
legislation and to establish conservation easements.
• Use innovative modeling and visualization systems to analyze, quantify and
communicate the benefits of trees and forests.
• Pursue legislation to strengthen penalties associated with violations of tree
preservation requirements.
• Seek legislation to require that RPA’s be disclosed during real estate transactions.
• Seek legislation to require RPA’s to be delineated on land plats.

Encourage Sustainable Design Practices

Goals
Enhance future tree canopy levels and quality through sustainable design.
Strategies
• Promote the use of sustainable design principles in site development and
redevelopment.
• Ensure that all county projects model principles of sustainable design.
• Ensure preservation of mature trees as the first priority, with replacement of lost
tree canopy an imperative when mature trees are killed.
• Encourage the use of environmentally friendly engineering solutions.
• Promote the use of natural landscaping practices and techniques.
• Promote the on-site treatment of runoff with bio-engineering practices.
Tactics
• Refer to Better Site Design: A Handbook for Changing Development Rules in Your
Community, Center for Watershed Protection.
• Educate developers on the use of sustainable design principles, practices and
techniques.
• Provide full credit towards meeting tree cover and parking lot landscaping
requirements for plant materials used in infiltration strips, rain gardens and
other LID practices.
• Fund and implement natural landscaping at county owned facilities and
properties.
• Encourage Board of Supervisors and residents to support the installation of
natural landscaping and LID demonstration projects in their individual districts
and properties.
• Revise and implement a runoff value for mature forest, urban canopy, and urban
canopy augmented with shrub, herbaceous and/or mulch to encourage tree
preservation as a stormwater management incentive.

Plant and Protect Trees by Streams, Streets, and Trails

Goals
• Protect and proactively establish native, desirable and non-invasive trees along
trails and streets.
• Restore streams to a natural state with functional riparian forest buffers.
Strategies
• Develop goals and commit to expanding wooded riparian buffers on both
perennial and intermittent streams.
• Plant trees along streets and along sidewalks and trails.
• Partner with the VDOT to encourage and implement tree planting along streets.
• Partner with Fairfax County Public Schools, FCPA and NVRPA to enhance and
protect trees along trails.
• Establish and maintain funding sources for tree planting and maintenance.
• Ensure that policy and county practices promote tree planting along streets and
trails.
• Work with businesses, homeowners associations and residents to encourage and
implement tree planting on privately owned land.
• Identify monarch trees and rare or significant vegetation communities so that
they may be avoided and preserved in placement of future transportation
corridors.
• Involve UFMD staff in any Comprehensive Plan reviews involving
transportation facilities.
• Set measurable goals for naturalizing streams, and commit to plant native tree
species along stream corridors.
• Require appropriate review of all site plans, permits and waivers with potential
impacts to streams and vegetation management components, including Resource
Protection Area exception applications.
Tactics
• Develop measurable goals for planting native, desirable and non-invasive trees
along streets and trails.
• Develop and implement a tree planting program for streets and trails that
encourages businesses, homeowners associations and residents to participate.
• Work with VDOT to identify criteria and a strategy for planting trees along
streets based on correct urban forestry practices and compliance with VDOT
and/or AASHTO design standards. Develop a Memorandum of Understanding
and/or other working agreement with VDOT.

Plant and Protect Trees by Streams, Streets, and Trails, Tactics continued
• Work with Fairfax County Public Schools, FCPA and NVRPA to identify
opportunities for planting trees near trails. Develop Memorandums of
Understanding and/or other working agreements
• Implement the policy recommendations of the Fairfax County Trails and
Sidewalks Committee for significant county trails. Require that all new and
redeveloped residential, commercial and industrial activities that abut, or are
adjacent to, the Washington & Old Dominion and Cross-County trails respect
and preserve these important assets by designating a 50’ natural area buffer, in
addition to a minimum 25’ building setback, on both sides of the rights of way of
these Regional Trails.
• Identify potential funding sources for tree planting programs including proffers,
county operating and capital budgets, bond programs and grants.
• Review county policies and practices in order to optimize tree-planting projects
and initiatives.
• Review policy and practices and initiate actions that promote native and/or non-
invasive trees.
• Strengthen Article 13 of the Zoning Ordinance to include street tree preservation
and planting.
• For near-term transportation projects, identify monarch trees and rare or
significant vegetation communities that may be threatened by these projects and
coordinate with county and state transportation planners to identify possible
approaches to preserving monarch trees and avoiding or minimizing impacts to
significant vegetation communities.
• Implement routine UFMD participation in Comprehensive Plan reviews that
may affect the siting and design of transportation facilities in order to encourage
the placement of future transportation projects in the most urban forestry-sound
manner.
• Develop, estimate the cost and budget for tree maintenance programs along
streets, trails and sidewalks.
• Collaborate with non-county entities (e.g. VDOT, DOF, NVRC, non-profits) on
planting plans and initiatives to ensure that their tree planting activities support
broader county environmental objectives.
• Develop and update guidance for planting street trees.
• Promote “day-lighting” of underground (piped) or lined sections of streams
where appropriate.
• Work with utility agencies to prevent loss of tree cover in stream corridors and
associated utility easements.
• Modify the existing plan review process to ensure that UFMD reviews the
vegetation management components of site plans, permits and waivers,
including Resource Protection Area exception applications.
• Obtain technical assistance to address riparian restoration, buffer plantings and
retrofit planning.

Plant and Protect Trees by Streams, Streets, and Trails, Tactics continued
• Continue a strong working relationship between FCPA, SWPD, UFMD and

VDOF staff to encourage a more unified effort to protect, extend and/or replant
riparian buffers and to practice ecosystem management on public land.
• Enhance planting activities and public awareness to increase the extent of
wooded riparian areas along intermittent streams on publicly owned land and
promote the same on private and developing properties.
• Implement at least one ecosystem management demonstration project, involving
riparian buffers for intermittent streams on public land, in each district by 2010,
including installation of wayside exhibits that demonstrate the need to conserve
RPA’s, headwater areas and other water resources.
• Use National Vegetation Classification System (NVCS) data to establish which
species are appropriate to plant in lowland and riparian forest environments in
order to replicate native plant communities and to minimize the use of species
which, although nominally native to the region, may not be native to a specific
plant community.
Shade trees placed along

streets and paths can help
define a sense of “community,”
and provide cooling relief to
hot urban environments.

Optimize Tree Conservation in Land Development

Goals
• Ensure that all tree preservation commitments for development projects are
honored.
• Optimize tree preservation and planting through commitments made during the
zoning process.
• Increase the degree of knowledge and understanding of existing tree
preservation flexibility among staff and developers.
• Optimize tree preservation and planting efforts associated with by-right
development.
• Use the enabling authority of the Virginia State Code to develop a local tree
preservation ordinance that can be used as an additional tool to ensure the
protection of heritage, specimen, memorial and street trees.
Strategies
• Optimize the effectiveness of proffer commitments relating to tree preservation.
• Enhance the inspection of construction projects with tree-related proffers
• Include tree preservation and planting in all zoning actions where appropriate.
• Promote the use of sustainable design principles in site development and
redevelopment, including the application of better site design, LID and natural
landscaping practices.
• Brief newly elected or appointed policy makers on the socio-economic and
environmental services that trees provide, and on what ordinance and policy
tools can be used to promote tree conservation during land development.
• Identify incentives that can serve to improve tree preservation commitments
• Encourage early collaboration between developers and county staff on tree
preservation issues.
• Develop incentives for tree preservation and planting, especially for application
in by-right development.
• Identify factors that make it expedient to cut down trees during development
and identify measures that can be pursued to transform these into incentives to
preservation.
• Establish an accreditation program to acknowledge responsible urban forest
practices pursued during development
• Establish a process through which the Forest Conservation Branch of UFMD will
increase its level of review of by-right development plans (as staffing levels
permit).
• Develop a heritage tree preservation ordinance based on Virginia State Code 10-
1-1127.1.

Optimize Tree Conservation in Land Development, Strategies continued
• Periodically review and update the contents of the PFM 12-0000 Vegetation
Preservation And Planting and other sections of this publication that utilize trees
and plants for purposes of LID to ensure effectiveness and scientific validity of
their requirements and specifications.
• Advocate the use of Agricultural and Forestal Districts to protect open space and
forest land and promote the preservation and restoration of forests in these
districts
• Review, on a periodic basis, PFM provisions pertaining to tree conservation.
Tactics
• Monitor the effectiveness of tree-related proffer language that developers use to
ensure the successful execution of commitments made during the review and
approval of zoning cases.
• Ensure, through periodic evaluation, that there are sufficient resources to
provide for continued UFMD involvement in the inspection of construction
projects with tree-related proffers.
• Continue existing level of UFMD involvement in the reviews of zoning
applications and assess the implications of current practices.
• Negotiate with developers so they implement better site design, LID, natural
landscaping and other sustainable design practices.
• Encourage pre-application site consultations with the UFMD prior to submission
of rezoning applications, thereby providing for an up-front, collaborative
approach to development design as it relates to tree preservation.
• Evaluate criteria used to review P District zoning applications to determine if
tree preservation is given sufficient weight in these reviews. This can be done
through consideration of an amendment to P Districts provisions of the Zoning
Ordinance that is in progress.
• Evaluate the benefits and drawbacks of establishing an expedited plan review
process for site plans and subdivision plans exceeding certain thresholds of tree
preservation.
• Contact newly elected or appointed policy makers and schedule one-on-one
appointments to discuss the socio-economic and environmental services that
trees provide. Also discuss the ordinance and policy tools that can be used to
promote tree conservation during land development.
• Research and publish a background paper addressing potential tax and
regulatory incentives for tree preservation and planting.
• Publicize monetary incentives to preserve and plant trees such as the increased
sale value associated with wooded home sites (preserved or planted), and the
lower stormwater infrastructure costs associated with pervious land covers.
• Evaluate opportunities to amend the Zoning Ordinance, PFM and, perhaps,
other county regulatory documents to support and promote sustainable
principles in site development and redevelopment, including the application of
better site design, LID and natural landscaping practices.

Optimize Tree Conservation in Land Development, Tactics continued
• Amend Article 13 of the Zoning Ordinance to:

o Clarify the use of existing trees and alternative plant materials for
landscaping requirements.
o Allow for an investigation of the feasibility of providing additional
incentives to preserve existing trees for these purposes.
o Revise requirements for maintenance so that more guidance is given for
the long-term maintenance and replacement of plant materials and barrier
features associated with parking lots, transitional screening and other
landscaping.
• Engage a nonprofit entity, like the Forest Stewardship Council, to set standards
for responsible urban forest practices and to guide and accredit responsible
developers. Provide occasional status reports on the progress of this effort.
• Develop a standard operating procedure for Forest Conservation Branch to
increase review of by-right development plans as staffing levels permit.
• Use the enabling authority of the Virginia State Code to develop a local tree
preservation ordinance that can be used as an additional tool to ensure the
protection of heritage, specimen, memorial and street trees.
• Conduct a review of the PFM at least once every five years to ensure that the
requirements take full advantage of enabling authority, and that the
horticultural, arboricultural, forestry and urban forestry specifications are based
on the latest research available.
• Ensure that management plans for Agricultural and Forestal District properties
reflect the need to protect sensitive lands (e.g., Resource Protection Areas
(RPA’s), Environmental Quality Corridors), optimize tree preservation and
planting and land stewardship consistent with agricultural or forestal uses.

Optimize Tree Conservation in Utility and Public Facility

Projects
Goals
• Optimize tree preservation in the siting and construction of utility lines
• Optimize tree preservation and planting efforts in the design and construction of
public facilities.
• Establish a framework for collaboration and “buy-in support” among county
agencies and the Forest Conservation Section on tree preservation and planting
efforts associated with the design and review of county development projects.
Strategies
• Establish planning mechanisms to ensure that tree save areas will not be subject
to destruction by planned or foreseeable utility projects
• Increase Urban Forest Management Division involvement in the public facility
review process.
Tactics
• Research and publish a background paper addressing potential strategies to
reduce impacts from utility construction to trees and other natural resources.
The paper should address:
o The feasibility of requiring the use of shared utility easements to avoid
impacting existing trees and other natural resources.
o The feasibility of locating utilities in roadbeds of new developments.
o How conduits could be used to support tree preservation efforts.
• Draft a letter for signature by the Chairman of the Board of Supervisors to the
State Corporation Commission and local construction industry groups urging
cooperation in co-locating utilities in shared easements in order to avoid
unnecessary clearing and damage of proffered tree save areas.
• Encourage utility companies and building industry groups to identify incentives
to route utilities in a manner that preserves existing trees and to partner in
mutually beneficial projects.
• Establish a requirement for submission of a preliminary utility plan for zoning
applications where utility construction might result in clearing of trees.
• Develop a data set of culturally, historically and ecologically significant trees.
This data set should be used to identify potential impacts of planned
transportation and utility projects and facilitate early discussions with project
sponsors regarding design modifications that could be pursued to protect these
trees.
• Convene a meeting between the Forest Conservation Branch of UFMD and
agencies that design and develop public facilities to develop standard operating
procedures that address tree preservation and planting in the design and review
of county projects.

Support and Refine the County’s Urban Forestry Programs

Goals
• Develop a strong urban forestry program that is adequately funded, attracts and
retains high quality employees and has the capacity to conserve and manage our
community’s tree and forest resources
Strategies
• Ensure that adequate funding is provided for projects and activities
recommended in the Tree Action Plan.
• Perform workforce analyses of staffing levels and position class descriptions for
all agencies and business areas involved in urban forestry to determine if these
are adequate to address business changes.
• Evaluate adequacy of UFMD staffing levels to perform core land development
services.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of alignment of UFMD within the Land Development
Services line of business to implement business changes.
• Provide for retention of personnel by performing periodic job market surveys to
ensure that Fairfax County’s compensation for urban forestry-related jobs
remains competitive.
• Ensure that UFMD provides adequate levels of urban forestry training to other
county staff such as the Environmental and Facilities Site Inspection Division,
DPWES (EFID).
• Evaluate the effectiveness of the county’s current policy to utilize EFID
personnel to enforce tree preservation and planting requirements on by-right
development sites.
• Examine the charter of the Fairfax County Tree Commission and amend it to
reflect the Commission’s evolving role in conserving and managing the county’s
tree and forest resources.
• Provide opportunities to expose students and newly graduated professionals to
Fairfax County’s urban forestry programs by developing partnerships with
institutions of higher learning.
Tactics
• Continue UFMD contribution to the Environmental Coordination Committee’s
Environmental Improvement program (EIP) Action Group’s updating of the EIP
with Tree Action Plan projects, policies and budget requests.
• Conduct a workforce analysis of all urban forestry-related staffing levels,
position class descriptions and compensation levels to determine if these are
adequate to address changes in responsibilities that could result from the
implementation of the Tree Action Plan and the countywide Urban Forest
Management Plan. Conduct these analyses every five years with the Department
of Human Resources.

Support and Refine the County’s Urban Forestry Programs, Tactics continued
• Evaluate the effectiveness of the current alignment of UFMD within the Land
Development Services Line of Business to implement changes resulting from the
Tree Action Plan and the Urban Forest Management Plan. Forward any
alternative organizational alignments to the Environmental Coordination
Committee and Board of Supervisors’ Environmental Committee for
consideration.
• Perform quality control analyses to determine the effectiveness of EFID
personnel in inspecting and enforcing tree preservation and planting
requirements on by-right development sites. Analyses will include quality and
quantity of training provided by UFMD and the assignments and scope of
responsibility of EFID personnel.
• Form a task force to define the mission and role of the Fairfax County Tree
Commission and forward to the Board of Supervisors’ Environmental
Committee for consideration.
2002 false-color image (tree canopy is in red) taken from high-resolution satellite imagery
depicting tree cover in Mount Vernon and Lee Magisterial Districts

Chapter 3
Implementation and Lead Agencies
This Chapter provides implementation plans which are very specific actions that must be
undertaken to ensure the implementation of the 12 Core Recommendation identified in
Chapter 2 that ultimately support the Vision and Goals of Chapter 1.
The implementation plans build upon the goals, strategies and tactics of the 12 Core
Recommendations and include the following components:
• Lead Agencies identifies the primary agencies and/or business areas that will be
responsible for implementing the various actions associated with each of the
Core Recommendations.
• Quick Hits identify actions that can be accomplished within 1 year
• Short-term identifies initial and perquisite actions that can be accomplished
within 5 years.
• Medium term / Long-term identifies actions that will take substantial amounts of
time and staff resources to complete. The implementation of these actions will be
determined based on periodic assessments of progress as described in Section
1.5.
• Considerations identify issues that must be taken into consideration when
implementing actions, or guidance on their intended outcome.

Lead Agencies
UFMD (in coordination with SWPD, DPWES, Northern Virginia Soil and Water
Conservation District (NVSWCD), Office of Public Affairs. FCPA, and VDOF).
Quick Hits
• Inventory existing awards and recognition programs.
• Inventory existing outreach efforts and publications.
Short Term
• Develop an education and outreach plan (funding required).
• Identify staff and budget needs to implement the education and outreach plan.
• Outline an outreach and technical assistance program and identify resource
needs.
• Define role of UFMD in outreach and training for Home Owners Associations
(HOA’s) and residents.
• Define role of UFMD in providing consulting and technical assistance for tree
management on county land.
• Form an inter-agency team for education related to urban forestry.
• Using the information, gleaned from inventory of outreach efforts and
publications develop a presentation and/or program on tree planting geared
toward owners of private open space.
• Develop a scope of work for the education and outreach plan. Determine budget
and timeline for in house and outsourced options.
• Identify and propose potential demonstration projects.
• Initiate outreach to increase working knowledge of managing and maintaining
forest ecosystems.
• Host joint training seminars for planners, site reviewers and developers on how
to encourage tree preservation and planting.
• Compile list of applicable grants and prepare literature publicizing known
benefits that act as monetary incentives to tree preservation and planting.
Medium / Long Term

• Initiate implementation of demonstration projects (funding required).
• Evaluate the effectiveness of the education and outreach program.
Considerations
• Funding and staff resources need to be identified to develop and execute the
plan as well as fund a professional publicity firm to assist in implementation.
Possible funding opportunities can be pursued through the county budget,
proffered tree funds, and grants.

Engage and Educate, Considerations continued
• Researching target audiences is an essential component of developing the plan

and must be executed prior to implementation. It is essential to understand the
audiences’ knowledge, opinion and behaviors around tree issues in order to
develop strategies and programs that work toward the plan’s intended
outcomes. Research may include surveys, focus groups and one-on-one
interviews.
• The plan should target a wide variety of audiences including residents, HOA’s,
industries, private businesses, landscaping companies, county staff and county
policy makers. The plan should reach out to a wide variety of audiences with
varying knowledge, opinions and behaviors both support and pose a challenge
to the realization of TAP goals and recommendations.
• In order to fulfill the county’s guidelines, all communication and outreach
materials must comply with the county’s communications strategy.

Lead Agencies
UFMD (in coordination with the Tree Commission).
Quick Hits
• Continue to participate on the Northern Virginia Urban Forestry Roundtable.
• Continue participation on the Environmental Coordination Committee.
• Continue a strong working relationship between SWPD, UFMD and VDOF staff.
• Partner with the Health Department’s air quality program to promote the use of
urban forestry practices in future air quality management plans.
Short Term
• Identify potential participants in a discourse between building industry
representatives and staff and outline what this communication process might
entail. Then invite participants and initiate discussions with this group.
• Contact the Forest Stewardship Council and/or other nonprofit entities to gauge
their interest in pursuing an accreditation program.
• Initiate discussions between county staff and VDOT staff regarding tree planting
and preservation efforts along public roads.
• Initiate discussions among the UFMD, the Department of Planning and Zoning
(DPZ) and the Department of Transportation regarding Urban Forest
Management Division participation in Comprehensive Plan reviews that may
affect the citing and design of transportation facilities.
• Work with Fairfax County Public Schools, the FCPA and NVRPA to identify
opportunities to plant trees near trails and on public lands.
Medium / Long Term

• Partner with NVRPA, the FCPA and NVCT to monitor and manage public lands
and conservation easements.
• Partner with major landholders and organizations such as the Virginia
Department of Forestry (VDOF) and the USDA Forest Service to establish the
Urban Forest Management Plan/program and encourage cooperative
management of forestland.
• Partner with utility companies to prevent loss of tree cover in stream corridors
and associated utility easements.
Considerations
• As part of the formalization and maintenance processes, it is important to
understand that partnerships will build over time, will be based on trust and will
be negotiated around differences in organizational culture. Consistency between
the plan’s written strategies and the county’s execution of those strategies is
essential to maintaining partnerships.
• Among the key partners are the Board of Supervisors, the Environmental
Coordination Committee and the Northern Virginia Urban Forest Roundtable.

Lead Agencies
UFMD (in coordination with DPZ).
Quick Hits
• Prepare a Plan Amendment proposal for consideration by the Planning
Commission and Board of Supervisors to encourage tree preservation and
planting as an air pollution mitigation practice.
Short Term
• Conduct a review of the policy documents referenced in Section 2.3 and prepare
a brief report summarizing the extent to which tree preservation and planting
considerations are consistent and inconsistent among these documents.
Incorporate recommendations as to whether and how policy documents should
be revised to reinforce tree preservation and planting concepts. Review the
report with the Tree Commission and any other interested board, authority, or
commission.
• Develop a Plan amendment proposal or other amendments to other policy
documents, if applicable, based on the findings of the policy study.
Medium / Long Term

• Upon development of watershed-specific tree canopy goals (see Section 3.5),
develop recommendations and related amendments regarding the incorporation
of such goals into the Comprehensive Plan; link these recommendations to an
overall countywide objective to support the maximum, realistic and sustainable
tree canopy goals for the county.
Considerations
• Additional UFMD resources may be needed to assist in the development of
and/or review of future amendments to the Comprehensive Plan and/or other
policy documents.
• DPZ staff resources will be needed to assist in the review of policy documents
and to pursue any resulting Plan amendments.
• Policy development relating to watershed-specific tree canopy goals and
countywide goals will need to consider the underlying land use planning context
and desired levels of development.

3.4 Improve Air Quality and Address Climate Change
Lead Agencies
UFMD (in coordination with DPZ and Health Department Air Quality Coordinator;
VDOF; and, partnering with local non-profit tree-planting groups).
Quick Hits
• Submit a Plan Amendment proposal to the Planning Commission and Board of
Supervisors to encourage tree preservation and planting as an air pollution
mitigation practice.
• Establish UFMD representation on the Environmental Coordinating Committee’s
Air Quality subcommittee.
• Identify current tree planting efforts and the groups that spearhead these efforts.
• Compile lists of non-invasive, native, and low-emissions tree species
recommended for used in air quality improvement plantings and distribute to
agencies and groups that plant trees in Northern Virginia.
Short Term
• Identify a review of Article 13 of the Zoning Ordinance (Landscaping and
Screening) for consideration in the Zoning Ordinance Amendment Work
Program. Such an amendment would allow for strengthening of parking lot
landscaping requirements as well as other recommendations in the Tree Action
Plan. (Note—the time frame for consideration of such a Zoning Ordinance
Amendment would depend on where it is placed on the Work Program and
competing Zoning Ordinance Amendment needs.)
• Incorporate tree preservation and planting considerations into the county’s air
quality planning efforts. Seek to incorporate such efforts at the state and
regional levels. Integrate the UFMD into internal, countywide air quality
planning efforts as well as state and regional air quality coordination.
• Develop and begin implementation of a county tree-planting program.
• Incorporate strategies and tactics noted in section 2.4 regarding cost-benefit
analyses and partnerships with nonprofit organizations and state and regional
entities.
• Participate in waste wood utilization workshops such as those hosted by
Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments to investigate alternative
wood waste uses that may act to sequester carbon.
Medium / Long Term

• Work to develop a credited voluntary tree canopy measure in the 2009 regional
air quality plan and beyond.
• Investigate feasibility of implementing a carbon cap and trade program in Fairfax
County. Investigate if this type of program could be used to fund tree
conservation practices and projects. If feasible, develop draft and program and

Improve Air Quality and Address Climate Change through Tree Conservation,
Medium / Long Term continued
present to the Environmental Coordinating Committee and Board for

consideration.
• Investigate the relative effectiveness of different trees species to absorb and
sequester carbon dioxide. Compile list and prepare proposed amendment to
include information in the Tree Selection and Cover Guide of Chapter 12 of the
PFM.
• Consider providing additional tree cover credits for planting tree species that are
more effective in absorbing and storing carbon dioxide. If feasible prepare
proposed amendment to Chapter 12 of the PFM.
• Improve specifications within the PFM regarding reforestation/restoration of
disturbed areas, particularly in Environmental Quality Corridors and RPA’s.
Considerations
• Limited staff resources for Zoning Ordinance Amendments and a large number
of competing projects on the Zoning Ordinance Amendment Work Program.
• Although the Technical Advisory Committee of the Metropolitan Washington
Air Quality Committee has approved tree canopy and urban heat island
reduction practices as items for consideration for inclusion into the 2007 regional
air quality plan for the DC-MD-VA Metropolitan Area, uncertainty still exists
regarding the final acceptance as an allowable practice.
• Although tree canopy can produce very significant levels of air quality
improvements, a tree canopy measure is not likely to produce measurable
impacts to air quality until after a 10 to 15 year period of time.
• The tree canopy measure should only be offered as a non-credited voluntary
measure in the 2007 regional air quality plan.
• During the 2007 State Implementation Plan (SIP) cycle, the Urban Forestry -
Work Group will work on a regional analysis to study probable tree canopy
loss/gain trends over the next 20 years. The results of this study will be used as
a basis to determine if is advisable to include a credited voluntary tree canopy
measure in the 2009 regional air quality plan.
• Considerable staff and budget resources may be needed to establish a
countywide tree-planting program; however, proffered donations from zoning
cases may prove to provide significant levels of funding.
• There are many volunteers and several non-profit organizations that would be
willing to participate in tree planting efforts.
• Because non-profit tree planting organizations tend to utilize volunteer labor to
plant trees, they can often plant trees at significantly lower costs than landscape
contractors. In addition, they act to engage and educate the community about
the value of conserving trees and other natural resources.

3.5 Improve Water Quality and Stormwater Management
Lead Agencies
UFMD; SWPD; and Land Development Services, DPWES (in coordination with partners
such as the NVSWCD; VDOF; Metropolitan Washington Area Council of Governments;
and the Center for Watershed Protection).
Quick Hits
• Research tree cover goals of other localities.
• Continue a strong working relationship between SWPD, UFMD and VDOF staff.
• Continue to fund the acquisition of “leaf on” high-resolution satellite imagery on
a five-year basis to support a Strategic Urban Forest Assessment that will be used
to: identify current tree canopy levels; identify specific opportunities to preserve
existing forests and plant trees for water quality improvement and stormwater
management; and track canopy changes over time and to gauge the county’s
success in reaching its tree canopy goals
Short Term
• Develop a procedure to include tree canopy goals as an integral part of
watershed planning and begin to include the goals in watershed management
plans.
• Review the forest protection strategies and tactics identified in the Chesapeake
Executive Council 2006 Directive No. 06-1. Prepare protection strategies and
tactics that could be used as tools to complement local watershed management
plans.
• Determine appropriate runoff value for forested condition for use in hydrologic
studies and revise the PFM and otherwise implement an appropriate runoff
value for forested condition.
• Authorize UFMD reviews of the vegetation management components of site
plans, permits and waivers including Resource Protection Area (RPA) exception
applications.
Medium / Long Term

• Conduct a Strategic Urban Forest Assessment (a protocol developed by the
USDA Forest Service and others) to develop maximum, realistic and sustainable
tree canopy goals for each of the county’s watersheds that utilizes:
o Interagency and interdisciplinary coordination with watershed steering
committees and other stakeholders.
o iTree (USDA Forest Service software) hydrology studies to predict impacts
of tree and impervious cover gain or loss in each watershed.
o Existing land use and potential canopy conditions, including tree cover
increases through vegetative succession and tree growth.
o Likely changes in land use and subsequent changes to tree canopy levels
through by-right development, zoning actions and public sector projects.

Improve Water Quality and Stormwater Management through Tree
Conservation, Medium / Long Term continued
o Opportunities for protection, replanting and restoration through the

zoning process.
o Legal authorities related to tree preservation and planting;
o Potential gains associated with tree planting projects and voluntary
stewardship activities.
• Correlate water quality and watershed health data collected by Fairfax County
with available tree canopy and impervious surfacing data to develop maximum
attainable and sustainable tree canopy goals.
• Review and, where appropriate, amend pertinent ordinances and land use
policies to adopt and implement tree canopy goals (see Section 3.5).
• Implement policies and practices needed to achieve maximum, realistic and
sustainable tree canopy goals.
Considerations
• These actions will help acknowledge that trees are an important and integral part
of watershed planning and watershed plan implementation.
• The Strategic Urban Forest Assessment and tree canopy goal planning projects
equate to “green infrastructure planning and/or mapping.”
• Ideally, our tree cover planning efforts should complement the Chesapeake
Executive Council Directives concerning Riparian Buffers and Urban Tree
Canopy Goals. However, local tree cover planning efforts will need to be
tailored to address local considerations and processes and may substantially
deviate from the Chesapeake Bay Program recommendations.
• Efforts to conduct a Strategic Urban Forest Assessment and to identify tree
canopy goals for watersheds should support the development of more effective
watershed management plans; however, these projects may take considerable
time to complete. A procedure will need to be developed that acknowledges the
need to complete watershed plans in a timely manner, yet facilitates the inclusion
of tree cover goals and related projects into watershed management plans on an
on-going basis.
• Revising runoff values for forested conditions may offer increased incentive to
the development community to preserve additional trees. However, it may be
more appropriate to revise runoff values of other conditions such a turf grass
planted open-space that has been compacted by development activities yet
currently receive the same runoff value as forested areas.
• Although stormwater goals and tree conservation and reforestation goals are the
same, sometimes the fixes appear to be in conflict in the short term. For example,
day lighting pipes could easily result in an initial loss of trees, especially where
trees have grown over or near an underground pipe. Likewise, stream
restoration frequently requires significant re-grading which can result in tree
removal.
3.6 Use Ecosystem Management to Improve and Sustain
the Health and Diversity of our Urban Forest
Lead Agencies
UFMD; FCPA; VDOF; and Fairfax County Animal Control.
Quick Hits
• Continue current funding to support National Vegetation Classification System
mapping.
Short Term
• Identify current and emerging practices and techniques to manage deer
populations and protect urban forest resources.
• Complete on-going effort to map the county’s vegetation resources using the
National Vegetation Classification System. The finished dataset will need to be
updated once very 10 years.
• Coordinate with the Office of the County Attorney to review conservation
easement agreement language as it relates to long-term management issues.
Medium / Long Term

• Develop ecosystem-based forest management practices and techniques.
• Adopt specific recommendations within the comprehensive Urban Forest
Management Plan to address forest health issues, ecosystem management,
measuring mechanisms (biometrics) for tracking and regenerative capacity.
• Implement guidance to ensure that trees are an integral component of master
planning and design for parks, particularly parks with playing fields.
• Initiate appropriate changes to conservation easement agreements to provide for
effective natural resource management.
• Incorporate a comprehensive inventory of conservation easements in Fairfax
County into the county’s Geographic Information System.
• Use current and emerging prescriptions to control and manage deer populations
and protect urban forest environments. Coordinate with animal control on
public lands.
• Continue reviewing conservation easement issues with the County Attorney’s
Office.
• Offer ecosystem-based forest management prescriptions and tailored assistance
to landowners.
• Develop ecosystem-based forest management plans for county property and
offer assistance to landowners to do the same.
• Include invasive plant and forest pest control strategies in the comprehensive
Urban Forest Management Plan as well as in site-specific recommendations.
• Partner with NVRPA, FCPA and NVCT to monitor and manage public lands and
conservation easements.

Use Ecosystem Management to Improve and Sustain the Health and Diversity
of our Urban Forest, Medium/Long Term continued
• Examine penalties for violations of conservation easements to determine the

extent to which the county can/should strengthen them. Strengthen penalties if
and where appropriate.
Considerations
• These actions will optimize preservation of current tree assets allow the urban
forest to be managed as a functional ecosystem.
• These actions will improve our ability to ensure optimal, long-term natural
resource management in conservation easements.
• Competing demands in the Office of the County Attorney could slow a study of
conservation easement language.
• These actions will need to acknowledge diverse opinion regarding ecosystem
management.
• Although the county’s Geographic Information System contains information
about recently recorded conservation easements, considerable staff resources
would be needed to research all past conservation easement records and to add
these to the existing GIS dataset.
• Tree canopy coverage is a two-dimensional metric that is used to convey the
relative extent of trees and forests resources in a given geographic area. Tree
canopy coverage incorporates both naturally occurring forest communities and
areas reforested by landscape cultivars. Tree canopy coverage is limited as a
management metric because it does not address the health, species composition,
biodiversity, age or biomass of forest and tree resources.
• Tree canopy coverage composed by naturally occurring forest communities is
preferable to planted tree canopy. Naturally occurring forest communities are
thought to deliver higher levels of ecological, environmental and socio-economic
benefits than that provided by planted tree cover by virtue of greater bio-mass
and forested soil conditions. It is critical that this information be communicated
to citizens, homeowner associations and public agencies that own and manage
forested tracts.

3.7 Strengthen State-Enabling Authority for Tree
Conservation
Lead Agencies
UFMD (in coordination with the Office of the County Executive; and the County
Attorney’s Office).
Quick Hits
• Continue already initiated efforts through the Northern Virginia Urban Forestry
Roundtable to build inter-jurisdictional consensus in support of stronger
enabling legislation for tree conservation.
• Link proposed tree conservation legislation to Federal Clean Air Act regulatory
pressures.
Short Term
• Continue efforts to quantify the environmental benefits of forest and tree cover
as identified above.
• Develop legislative initiatives for consideration by the County Executive’s Office
and Board of Supervisors that would (a) require disclosure of RPA’s during real
estate transactions; and (b) require RPA’s to be delineated on land plats.
Medium / Long Term

• Continue to pursue tree preservation enabling legislation or, if successful,
evaluate and develop measures to implement new tree preservation authorities.
Considerations
• The county has attempted to increase its local tree preservation authority in
several recent legislative sessions by seeking amendments to the tree cover
provisions of § 15.2-961. See Appendix 1 for more information.
• The Northern Virginia Urban Forestry Roundtable is working to build inter-
jurisdictional consensus in support of stronger enabling authority by reaching
out to local politicians, local tree commissioners, citizens and environmental
groups. This group is likely to support Fairfax County’s legislative efforts
relating to tree conservation.
• Unless steps are taken to reach out and partner with the land development and
woods products industries, considerable opposition to tree conservation enabling
legislation is likely to continue.
• Land owner awareness benefits of disclosure and plat requirements for RPA’s
• The state legislature recently considered the issue of disclosure of RPA’s in real
estate transactions; adopted legislation did not require such disclosure but only
required a notice to purchasers that the owner makes no representations with
respect to whether the property in question contains any RPA’s.

Lead Agencies
UFMD; Land Development Services, DPWES; SWPD; NVSWCD; Environmental
Coordination Committee; EIP Action Group; and Natural Landscaping Committee.
Quick Hits
• Develop or revise ordinances to provide full credit towards meeting tree cover
requirements for plant materials used in infiltration strips, rain gardens and
other parking lot-related LID practices.
• Implement natural landscaping projects at county owned facilities and
properties.
Short Term
• Where appropriate, start using the hydrological module of the iTree software
suite to demonstrate effects of tree canopy on hydrology and other
environmental considerations. This software may be useful in demonstrating the
need to revise runoff values for forested conditions.
Medium / Long Term

• Implement at least one ecosystem management demonstration project, involving
riparian buffers on public land, in each district by 2010, including installation of
wayside exhibits that demonstrate the need to conserve RPA’s and other water
resources.
Considerations
• On June 21, 2004 the BOS directed staff to identify County properties where
natural landscaping could be used to reduce maintenance practices that can
cause harmful environmental impacts such as air pollution and reduce the need
and expense of mowing, pruning, edging, and using fertilizers, pesticides, and
herbicides. In response, a Natural Landscaping Committee was formed to
identify practices, policies and a countywide implementation plan.
• LID, natural landscaping, and ecosystem management projects may require
additional staff and/or additional funding. Future EIPs will need to contain
proposals to support the implementation and maintenance of these projects.
• Sustainable designs may require more funding than conventional designs to
construct initially, but over time tend to recoup initial costs through the
environmental and socio-economic benefits that they are designed to produce.

3.9 Plant and Protect Trees by Streets Trails and Streams
Lead Agencies
UFMD; SWPD; VDOT; VDOF; Fairfax County Public Schools; FCPA; and NVRPA (in
coordination with local non-profit tree-planting groups).
Quick Hits
• Continue a strong working relationship among SWPD, UFMD and VDOF staffs.
• Research case studies that quantify tree planting programs, such as the Strategic
Urban Forest Assessment conducted by the Cities of Baltimore, MD and
Annapolis, MD.
Short Term
• Develop a presentation/program on tree planting geared towards owners of
private open space.
• Coordinate with VDOT to develop the criteria and strategies needed to optimize
tree preservation and planting opportunities in and adjacent to VDOT rights-of-
ways.
• Initiate discussions among UFMD, DPZ and the Department of Transportation
regarding UFMD participation in Comprehensive Plan reviews that may affect
the siting and design of transportation projects.
• Coordinate with the county’s Department of Transportation to identify near-term
transportation improvement projects that may affect trees and/or significant
vegetation communities.
• Use NVCS data to establish which species are appropriate to plant in lowland
and riparian forest environments in order to replicate native plant communities
and to minimize the use of species which, although nominally native to the
region, may not be native to a specific plant community.
• Authorize UFMD reviews of the vegetation management components of
Resource Protection Area exception applications.
Medium / Long Term

• Identify the near-term transportation projects (see Short Term) for which there
may be adverse impacts to monarch trees and/or significant vegetation
communities and pursue follow-up coordination with the County’s Department
of Transportation and with VDOT as appropriate.
• Implement pilot projects that daylight underground (piped) or lined sections of
streams.

Plant and Protect Trees by Streets Trails and Streams, continued
Considerations
• The recommendations of the Trails and Sidewalks Committee should be
examined to see how these could impact TAP recommendations.
• Examine usefulness of existing Northern Virginia Regional Commission tree
planting educational publications for possible distribution to the community.
• Partner with stormwater business area agencies to incorporate native trees in
stormwater facilities.
• We need to define what the term ‘native’ tree means (e.g. how narrow a
geographic region source should be from).
• Look at terminology regarding rights of way, medians and intersections to be
sure we are using correctly.
• County DOT staff and VDOT staff resources will be needed in the identification
and evaluation of transportation project corridors.
• Even after identifying future transportation project corridors, it may not be
determined to be feasible to protect the trees and/or vegetation communities in
question.
• These actions will establish functional riparian buffers to improve stream health
and enhance the quantity and quality of tree resources.
• These actions will require diverse opinion regarding riparian buffers to be
addressed in favor of stream health and enhanced quantity and quality of tree
resources.
• Considerable funding will be needed for pilot projects that daylight
underground (piped) or lined sections of streams.
The county’s Champion Swamp

Chestnut Oak (Quercus michauxii)
has a trunk that is 17.5 feet in
circumference measured 4.5 feet
from the ground. With an estimated
age of 190 years, this tree is
probably one of Fairfax County’s
oldest residents. This tree was
once threatened by road expansion,
but is now is protected on public
lands near Huntley Meadows Park.

Lead Agencies
UFMD and DPZ
Quick Hits
• Identify a review of Article 13 of the Zoning Ordinance (Landscaping and
Screening) for consideration in the Zoning Ordinance Amendment Work
Program. Such an amendment would allow for clarification of the use of
existing trees and alternative plant materials for landscaping requirements, for
the consideration of whether additional incentives may be available for tree
preservation and other recommendations in the Tree Action Plan. (Note—the
identification of the issue on the Work Program would be a quick hit action. The
time frame for consideration of such a Zoning Ordinance Amendment would
depend on where it is placed on the Work Program and competing Zoning
Ordinance Amendment needs.)
• Periodically review levels of funding/staff resource needs for various levels of
tree-related construction site inspections by LDS staff.
Short Term
• Identify potential participants in a discourse between building industry
representatives and staff and outline what this communication process might
entail. Then invite participants and initiate discussions with this group.
• Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses associated with the current level of
UFMD involvement in the reviews of zoning applications and assess the benefits
and other implications of increased involvement. This action should be
performed periodically.
• Proceed to consider a review of P District guidelines in the Zoning Ordinance in
order to identify whether appropriate consideration is given to tree preservation
efforts during the reviews of P District applications.
• Prepare literature publicizing known benefits that act as monetary incentives to
tree preservation and planting.
• Contact the Forest Stewardship Council and/or other nonprofit entities to gauge
their interest in pursuing an accreditation program.
• Assuming interest, develop a program to provide urban forestry accreditation for
responsible developers.
• Convene a meeting, or series of meetings, among staff from DPZ, UFMD, VDOF,
and NVSWCD to evaluate the effectiveness of the Agricultural and Forestal
District process in preserving and managing environmentally sensitive lands,
preserving and planting trees and ensuring appropriate land stewardship
practices. Identify any changes to the process that may be appropriate to
improve such preservation and management efforts. Include a consideration of
the need for monitoring and enforcement actions relating to land management
activities; evaluate whether or not enabling legislation may be needed in this

Optimize Tree Conservation in Land Development, Short Term continued
regard. Refine these ideas further through coordination with the Agricultural
and Forestal District Advisory Committee.
Medium / Long Term

• Establish a stakeholder working group to explore possible tax and/or regulatory
incentives for improved tree preservation. The final product from this working
group would be a report outlining options, considerations, and
recommendations.
• Research and publish a background paper addressing potential tax and
regulatory incentives for tree preservation and planting. This paper should
address:
o The extent to which tax incentives could be applied as an incentive for tree
preservation and planting.
o What other jurisdictions have done to provide incentives to preserve trees
during land development.
o Trade-offs in other site development requirements that may be available
for consideration as incentives for tree preservation and planting.
o The use of administratively-granted, environmentally friendly incentives,
such as performance-based Public Facilities Manual and Zoning
Ordinance standards that have significant potential to disturb less land
and effect more tree preservation.
o Factors that contribute to tree clearing and impediments to tree
preservation during development.
o Opportunities to partner with building industry groups in mutually
beneficial projects.
o Enabling authority — to what extent do we have authority to offer tax
incentives?
o Implications of tax incentives to revenues.
o Implications of regulatory trade-offs to other county goals, objectives and
policies
• Develop, for targeted distribution, publicity for the Agricultural and Forestal
District program that addresses both the potential financial benefits of this
program to eligible landowners as well as the expectation for environmentally
sensitive forest management/land stewardship activities on properties that are
entered into this program.
• Create a map that identifies properties within the county that could be eligible
for consideration within the Agricultural and Forestal District program and
target publicity efforts towards owners of these properties.
Considerations
• Staff resources—Additional positions within UFMD will probably be needed if
levels of inspection are to increase and/or if increased efforts during the zoning
process are suggested.

Optimize Tree Conservation in Land Development, Considerations continued
• Developer willingness to incorporate suggested proffer language into their

proffer packages. Proffers are voluntary commitments on the part of developers
and cannot be imposed.
• Would we need enabling authority to offer tax incentives for tree preservation?
• Additional staff resources will be needed to support mapping and targeted
outreach efforts associated with the Agricultural and Forestal Districts program.
• Implications of regulatory trade-offs to other county goals, objectives and
policies.
• Staff resources needed for coordination with building industry and stake holder
groups, research efforts and publicity efforts.
• Uncertainty regarding willingness of the Forest Stewardship Council or other
nonprofit entity to undertake an accreditation program.
Example of
subdivision plan
showing tree
preservation area
protected by tree
preservation fencing
installed at the limits
of clearing and
grading.

3.11 Optimize Tree Conservation in Utility and Public
Facility Projects
Lead Agencies
UFMD; DPZ; FCPA; and Capital Facilities business area of DPWES
Quick Hits
• Draft a letter for signature by the Chairman of the Board of Supervisors to the
State Corporation Commission and local construction industry groups urging
cooperation in co-locating utilities in shared easements in order to avoid
unnecessary clearing and damage of proffered tree save areas.
• Identify, for consideration in the Zoning Ordinance Amendment Work Program,
the strengthening of zoning case submission requirements to require submission
of a preliminary utility plan for zoning applications where utility construction
can conceivably result in clearing of trees. (Note—the time frame for
consideration of such a Zoning Ordinance Amendment would depend on where
it is placed on the Work Program and competing Zoning Ordinance Amendment
needs.)
Short Term
• Schedule a meeting between the Forest Conservation Branch of UFMD and
agencies that design and develop public facilities to develop standard operating
procedures that address tree preservation and planting in the design and review
of county projects.
• Prepare a background paper addressing potential strategies to reduce impacts
from utility construction as outlined in Section 2.11.
• Coordinate with GIS staff to identify funding and other resource needs that may
be required in order to develop a data set of culturally, historically, and
ecologically significant trees. Pursue appropriate follow-up actions.
Medium / Long Term

• Initiate investigation of legal authority to require the use of shared utility
easements and develop appropriate legislative initiatives if needed.
• Coordinate with utility companies and building industry groups on tree
preservation issues associated with the routing of utility lines.
Considerations
• Requiring underground utilities to be co-located in share easements will
probably require enabling legislation which is very likely to encounter
opposition by utility companies.
• Staff resources will be needed to conduct research and coordinate with utility
companies and building industry groups.

3.12 Support and Refine the County’s Urban Forestry
Programs
Lead Agencies
UFMD; Environmental and Facilities Site Inspection Division, DPWES (EFID); SWPD,
FCPA; Human Resources Branch, Land Development Services, DPWES; Department of
Human Resources; Environmental Coordination Committee; EIP Action Group; and
Tree Commission
Quick Hits
• Perform quality control analyses to determine the effectiveness of UFMD
training to other county staff such as EFID. If training levels are insufficient,
then UFMD should increase the frequency of training and/or identify specific
needs to improve their training programs. This action should be performed
annually.
• Evaluate if UFMD staffing levels are adequate to perform core land development
services relating to: the review of proposed zoning applications; the review of
site plans and associated waivers and modifications; and the monitoring and
inspection of sites with tree-related proffers and development conditions. If
staffing levels are not sufficient for these purposes, then LDS should submit
budgetary requests to increase staffing levels. This action should be performed
annually.
Short Term
• Identify projects and activities recommended in the Tree Action Plan in the FY-
2009 (and beyond) EIP submission and other budgetary processes. This action
should be performed annually.
• Periodically evaluate if utilizing EFID personnel for frontline inspection and
enforcement of the tree preservation and planting requirements on by-right
development sites is effective. If utilizing EFID for these purposes is not
producing effective results, then generate alternative assignments and scope of
responsibilities needed to improve these functions.
• Conduct a workforce analysis of all urban forestry-related staffing levels,
position class descriptions to determine if these are adequate to address changes
in responsibilities that could result from the implementation of the Tree Action
Plan and the countywide Urban Forest Management Plan. This action should be
performed periodically.
• Perform job market survey to ensure that Fairfax County’s compensation for
urban forestry-related job classes remains competitive with comparable positions
in local, State, and Federal government and with comparable positions in private
industry. This action should be performed periodically.

Support and Refine the County’s Urban Forestry Programs, Short Term
continued
• Partner with academic institutions offering natural resource management

curriculums to develop opportunities that provide urban forestry internships for
students and newly graduated professionals.
• Form a task force to define the mission and role of the Fairfax County Tree
Commission and forward to the Board of Supervisors’ Environmental
Committee for consideration.
Medium / Long Term

• Evaluate if the current alignment of UFMD within the Land Development
Services Line of Business is the most effective location within the structure of the
county government to effect mission and procedural changes resulting from the
implementation of the Tree Action Plan and the countywide Urban Forest
Management Plan. If current alignment is not effective, then alternative
organizational alignments should be developed and forwarded to the
Environmental Coordination Committee and Board of Supervisors for
consideration.
Considerations
• UFMD is currently part of the Land Development Services business area, and as
such is partially funded by fees collected from the land development industry for
review of plans and inspection of construction sites. As the Tree Action Plan is
implemented over time, it is likely that UFMD will spend less time on land
development services and more time managing forest resources outside of the
land development context; therefore, it will become appropriate to evaluate the
level of funding that UFMD receives from land development fees, versus the
level of funding it receives from the General Fund.
• Over the last five years, the county has lost talented staff to comparable, but
higher paying positions in the USDA Forest Service, and in other local
governments such as the District of Columbia. In order for Fairfax County pay
scales to remain competitive with all regional opportunities, future job market
surveys for urban forestry-related job classes must take into account the salaries
afforded to urban forestry positions in the Federal workforce as well as other
local governments.
• The Fairfax County Park Authority and other county agencies have positions
that are routinely involved in urban forest management and arboricultural (tree
care) activities. The class specifications for these positions should also be
reviewed.

Appendix 1.
Recent efforts to acquire state enabling authority to conserve
trees during land development
In reaction to the current limitations of the Virginia State Code, the county has
attempted to increase its local tree preservation authority in several recent legislative
sessions by seeking amendments to the tree cover provisions of § 15.2-961. Summaries
of the recent attempts to increase local authority to require tree preservation and are
listed below in chronological order. The Tree Commission has been very instrumental
in the development and promotion of these efforts and will continue to encourage the
Board of Supervisors to pursue additional authority in this regard.
• 2002: Fairfax County initiated a proposal to amend Virginia State Code § 15.2-
961 as part of its 2002 Legislative Program. Senate Bill 484 and House Bill 105
were submitted by Fairfax and Prince William Counties as proposals to change
the core concept of § 15.2-961 from tree replacement to tree conservation, with a
strong emphasis on tree preservation. Both bills were introduced in the 2002
Virginia State Legislative Assembly, but were tabled until the 2003 session due to
opposition by the Virginia Building Association.
• 2003: SB484 and HB105 were later terminated as viable legislation due to a
Virginia State Legislative Assembly funding crisis.
• 2004: For the third consecutive year, staff from the Department of Public Works
and Environmental Services forwarded proposed amendments to Virginia State
Code § 15.2-961 to the Board’s Legislative Committee. In light of two previous
years of substantial opposition to the proposed amendments in the Virginia
Legislative Assembly and unwillingness by local Virginia State policy makers to
introduce a similar proposal adopted in the previous Legislative Program, the
BOS Legislative Committee chose not to include the proposal in the 2004
Legislative Program.
• 2004: Local Virginia State Delegate Mark D. Sickles (House District 43)
introduces HB1479, which proposed the same tree preservation amendments
originally contained in SB484. On January 23, 2004, HB1479 was referred to the
Committee on Counties, Cities and Towns; however, on February 11, 2004 the
Committee voted to continue the bill to the 2005 Legislative Assembly.
• 2005: The 2005 Fairfax County Legislative Program contains two tree-related
matters: a legislative position supporting HB1479 which is a proposal to amend
§ 15.2-961 so that the existing tree cover requirements place higher emphasis on
tree preservation; and a proposed resolution concerning the use of tree
preservation and planting measures in Virginia’s air quality management plan.

Appendix 1. continued
• In conjunction with legislative program staff from the Office of the County
Executive, UFMD prepared a proposed resolution for consideration by the 2005
Virginia Legislative Assembly. The proposed resolution directed the Virginia
Department of Environmental Quality to study the feasibility of including tree-
related measures in Virginia’s air quality management plans (a.k.a. State
Implementation Plans or SIP) and if these measures could receive credits as
voluntary stationary source emission reduction programs under section 110 of
the Federal Clean Air Act. The proposed resolution was patronized by State
Senator Mims as SJ 343, but was left in the Senate Rules Committee because of
anticipated budgetary impacts. However, the resolution generated considerable
interest and raised awareness levels within Virginia State governmental circles.
The increased awareness lead the Virginia State Forester to direct VDOF Staff to
initiate communication with the USDA Forest Service research staff and Fairfax
County’s UFMD to pursue the application of tree-related practices in air quality
plans.
• 2006: The Board of Supervisor’s Legislative Committee proposes to include a
legislative position supporting tree conservation legislative proposals in the
county’s 2006 Legislative Program.
• 2006: State Senator Ticer introduces SB 236, which is proposed tree conservation
legislation which would amend Virginia State Code § 15.2-961, SB 236 is passed
by indefinitely in the Senate Committee on Counties, Cities and Towns by a vote
of 8 to 6.

Appendix 2.
Recent Board matters regarding tree preservation policies
Concurrent with the development of the Tree Action Plan, the Fairfax County Board of
Supervisor has adopted the following tree-related Board Matters within the past year.
The issues discussed in these Board Matters are interwoven with the major goals and
objectives of the Tree Action Plan, and as such, an effort should be made to coordinate
their contents and conclusions:
• Strengthening Tree Preservation Policies And Procedures: Enhanced

Identification Of Tree Save Areas, February 28, 2005
o Directs the County Urban Forester and the Department of Planning and
Zoning to work with a sub-group of the Tree Commission to review and
strengthen the policies and procedures of the identification of tree save areas
and the marking of the limits of clearing and grading.
• Air Quality, June 20, 2005
o Directs staff to prepare a report that delineates what urban forestry-

related practices, including tree planting, the county can use to
improve air quality and how these practices can be included in the air
quality management plans, and to identify a set of best practices with
the intent of creating a comprehensive urban forest management plan
that will protect the community’s trees and maximize the delivery of
all the environmental, social, and economic benefits that they provide.
o Directs staff to investigate the possibility of creating a funding
mechanism for a countywide tree planting program through the use
of reparations obtained from violations of tree save commitments,
cash proffers, and in-kind proffer commitments obtained during the
land development process.
• PCA 1999-PR-035, October 17, 2005
o Directs staff to set up a county fund for tree preservation and planting.
o Directs staff to prepare recommendations for integrating Urban Forestry
back into the site inspection process in terms of training and staffing needs.
o Include tree surveys as part of the submission package for land use cases
which would indicate the condition of the trees.

Appendix 2. continued
• Heritage Tree Preservation, June 5, 2006
o Directs the Office of the County Attorney, with input from the Urban Forest
Management Division to draft a heritage tree preservation ordinance such as
granted by Virginia State Code 10-1-1127.1, and to present the draft to the
Board’s Environmental Committee for consideration and recommendation.
o Directs staff to determine the county’s current authority to protect tress in a
“by-right” development and provide definitions of the different categories of
tree designations.
o Directs staff to provide a report on the trees currently identified in the special
categories.

Appendix 3
Members of the Fairfax County Tree Commission
Mr. Michael J. McMahon, Braddock District, Chair
Ms. Deborah G. Foster, Sully District, Co-Chair
Ms. LaDuska Adriance, At-large
Mr. John Dudzinsky, Dranesville District
Dr. Penny Firth, Providence District
Mr. Harry Glasgow, Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District
Ms. Kathryn K. James, Mason District
Ms. Elizabeth Kohm, Lee District
Ms. Sandra D’Alli Logan, Springfield District
Dr. Jim McGlone, Virginia Department of Forestry
Mr. Lyle C. McLaren, Environmental Quality Advisory Council
Ms. Eleanor Quigley, Mount Vernon District
Mr. Ron Rubin, Hunter Mill District
Mr. Ben Wharton, Fairfax County Park Authority
Ms. Kristi Kubista-Hovis, Fairfax ReLeaf, Inc., Liaison to Tree Commission

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Tree Action Plan

A 20-Year Strategic Plan to Conserve and

Tree Action Plan December 2006 Page 1 of 64

Tree Action Plan December 2006 Page 2 of 64

Managed meadow and trees near the Herrity Building

Photo provided by Urban Forest Management Division

Tree Action Plan December 2006 Page 3 of 64

In 1999, the TPTF published 37 recommendations that included proposals: to enhance

Tree Action Plan December 2006 Page 5 of 64

Figure 1. Benefits of trees.

1.1 Vision and Goals

'Wt UYGX.. C c«r"'7)' ~MT d - ~ bc-ih forffl

Framework Goal 1: Commit to Preserve Current Tree Assets

Tree Action Plan December 2006 Page 7 of 64

Framework Goal 3: Increase the Effectiveness of Urban Forestry

The Board of Supervisor’s Environmental Agenda states “the environmental impact of

Tree Action Plan December 2006 Page 8 of 64

Common Development Model Urban Forestry Model

Tree Action Plan December 2006 Page 9 of 64

Tree Action Plan December 2006 Page 10 of 64

2. Fairfax County’s early commitment to tree conservation. In 1973, just as

Either individually or collectively, these processes have the potential to seriously

Countywide tree cover image

Image provided by Urban Forest Management Division

Tree Action Plan December 2006 Page 12 of 64

Figure 4. County policy considerations and County staff roles

Fedmll & County

Opinion D«i:.ions Alrtruing

Tree Action Plan December 2006 Page 13 of 64

1.5 Implementation and Tracking a Living Tree Action Plan

Tree Action Plan December 2006 Page 14 of 64

Image provided by Urban Forest Management Division

Tree Action Plan December 2006 Page 15 of 64

1. Engage and Educate

Tree Action Plan December 2006 Page 16 of 64

Engage and Educate

Tree Action Plan December 2006 Page 17 of 64

Photo provided by Urban Forest Management Division

Tree Action Plan December 2006 Page 18 of 64

Build Strong Partnerships and Alliances

Tree Action Plan December 2006 Page 19 of 64

o Engaging a nonprofit entity, like the Forest Stewardship Council, to set

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Optimize Tree Conservation in County Policies

Tree Action Plan December 2006 Page 21 of 64

• Incorporate watershed-specific tree canopy goals (see Tactics that support

Tree Action Plan December 2006 Page 22 of 64

Improve Air Quality and Address Climate Change through

Tree Action Plan December 2006 Page 23 of 64

• Conduct comprehensive cost-benefit analyses of tree-planting and maintenance

Tree Action Plan December 2006 Page 24 of 64

Improve Water Quality and Stormwater Management

Tree Action Plan December 2006 Page 25 of 64

Use Ecosystem Management to Improve and Sustain the

Tree Action Plan December 2006 Page 26 of 64

Tree Action Plan December 2006 Page 27 of 64

Strengthen State-Enabling Authority for Tree

Tree Action Plan December 2006 Page 28 of 64

Encourage Sustainable Design Practices