Sierra Club Opposes Efforts to Weaken DC's Tree Protections

Dear Councilmember Allen,

The Sierra Club strongly supports the Urban Forest Preservation Act of 2002 and the Tree Canopy Protection Act of 2016, which you introduced. We supported both bills when they were under Council consideration and we support them today. The Sierra Club opposes efforts to weaken DC's tree protections, so we were dismayed to learn that you are considering introducing legislation to exempt from DC’s tree protection laws several plots of land that are slated for development.

The Sierra Club supports dense urban development, which allows people to live less carbon-intensive lifestyles and avoids the destruction of natural habitats that comes with suburban sprawl. The Sierra Club also supports DC’s goal of 40 percent tree canopy by 2032. We believe DC should pursue both sustainable development and protect our trees.

Trees benefit DC is many ways, including cleaner air, less stormwater runoff, more shade and energy savings, natural habitats for wildlife, and encouraging people to enjoy the outdoors and relieve stress.

Property owners who want to chop down special trees (those with a circumference of 44 to 99 inches) or chop down our majestic and decades-old heritage trees (whose circumstances are 100 inches or larger) should be fully subject to current DC law. Exempting some property owners from the law would set a dangerous precedent and undoubtedly result in more property owners requesting that they too be allowed to skirt the law. That is a direct contravention of the legislation you introduced in 2016 and it undermines DC’s 40 percent canopy goal.

Councilmember Allen, the Sierra Club considers you a strong ally and one of the most environmentally-friendly members in the history of the DC Council. We respectfully request that you not introduce any legislation to weaken DC’s tree protections or exempt property owners in DC from the full weight of the Tree Canopy Protection Act of 2016.

Sincerely,

Mark Rodeffer
Chair, Sierra Club DC Chapter