My name is Steve Zemke representing TreePAC and Friends of Urban Forests. I served on the Seattle Urban Forestry Commission for 6 and a half years and also as VC.

There has been confusion on this bill as to the Bill summary for SHB 1087 including language from HB 1087. SHB 1087 needs its own separate bill summary.

OUR Specific Ask – Urge passage of SHB 1078 with new definition of “tree replanting areas” instead of tree banks as “tree replanting areas.

The use of the term “tree banks” is confusing and has different meanings, including trees in nursery situations and tree stock development.

Replace definition of “tree banks” with “tree replanting areas” and “tree bank programs” with “tree replanting programs”

Amend to:

“Tree replanting areas” can be designated by a community to replace trees removed that cannot be retained or replanted on site. To compensate for tree loss, tree replanting programs shall provide for the payment of a fee in lieu to cover the cost of buying replacement trees, planting, maintaining and watering them up to 5 years to ensure survival.  Trees replanted shall be roughly equivalent at maturity to the canopy lost.

Bill also provides needed funding for DNR to draft model ordinances. Many cities do not have the technical expertise on staff needed to draft this legislation. Added language in 2SHB 1078 to provide funding also to cities would be welcome

Please pass HB 1078 with amendments. Thank you.