SB 461

Abstract

Department of Forestry; Forestland and Urban Tree Canopy Conservation Plan required. Requires the Department of Forestry, in coordination with a Technical Advisory Committee composed of stakeholders, to develop a Forestland and Urban Tree Canopy Conservation Plan no later than November 1, 2026, and update such plan at least once every five years thereafter. The bill requires the Department to post and maintain on its website the most recent version of the Plan and to submit the Plan to the Governor and Chairmen of the House Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources and the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources no later than November 30, 2026, and following any update to such plan. This bill is identical to HB 309.

Department of Forestry; technical advisory committee; methods of forest canopy and health assessment; report. Directs the Department of Forestry to convene a technical advisory committee to evaluate current methods of forest canopy and health assessment to identify the most cost-effective means for the Department to perform a forestland and tree canopy assessment study for the Commonwealth. The bill directs the Department to report the technical advisory committee's findings to the General Assembly by November 1, 2024.

Department of Forestry; Forest Conservation Plan required. Requires the Department of Forestry, in coordination with a stakeholder advisory group, to develop a Forest Conservation Plan no later than November 1, 2025, and update such plan at least once every five years thereafter. The bill requires the Department to post and maintain on its website the most recent version of the Plan and submit the Plan to the Governor and Chairmen of the House Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources and the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources no later than November 30, 2025, and following any update to such plan.