Plain English Breakdown
The official text states the act expires on Oct 30, 2025, but also says it remains in effect for no longer than 90 days after approval; these two timeframes may conflict depending on when 'approval' is legally defined.
Long Bridge Project Emergency Amendment Act of 2025
This emergency law requires the Mayor to issue a permit for removing specific Heritage Trees near or on the Long Bridge Project site if strict conditions about design, protection costs, and fees are met.
What This Bill Does
- Amends section 104a of the Urban Forest Preservation Act of 2002 with an emergency provision.
- Requires the Mayor to issue a removal permit for Heritage Trees abutting or within the Long Bridge Project site under certain conditions.
- Mandates that no reasonable design alternative exists to avoid removing the tree.
- Requires the Urban Forestry Division to determine that the tree cannot be reasonably protected in its current location.
- Allows removal only if relocation costs exceed $1 million or would cause an undue burden on the public.
- Sets a fee of $1,200 for each inch of the Heritage Tree's circumference.
Who It Names or Affects
- The Mayor of the District of Columbia
- The Urban Forestry Division
- Applicants seeking to remove trees at the Long Bridge Project site managed by the Virginia Passenger Rail Authority
Terms To Know
- Heritage Tree
- A specific type of protected tree defined under D.C. law that requires special permits for removal.
- Long Bridge Project
- The construction site managed by the Virginia Passenger Rail Authority where this rule applies.
Limits and Unknowns
- This act is an emergency measure and will remain in effect for no longer than 90 days after approval.
- The law does not specify what happens if the conditions are not met, only when a permit must be issued.