Office of the Mayor City of Seattle Gregory J. Nickels, Mayor

Executive Order: 03-05 Tree Replacement

An Executive Order directing all City departments to replace every tree that is removed from City-owned land in Seattle with two new trees. This Executive Order also directs City departments to develop or amend tree policies to comply with the actions required by this Order.

WHEREAS, trees are an essential element of Seattle's image and quality of life, giving us our nickname "The Emerald City";

WHEREAS, the City of Seattle has long prided itself on its commitment to the environment, and it is the policy of the City to promote environmental responsibility;

WHEREAS, urban trees provide benefits that are fundamental to our city's livability, including cleaner air (one acre of trees provides enough oxygen for 18 people, and absorbs as much carbon dioxide as a car produces in 26,000 miles), cleaner water (trees reduce peak storm runoff by 10 to 20 percent, and hold soil in place to prevent erosion), cooler streets and homes, quieter neighborhoods (trees reduce noise pollution by acting as a buffer and absorbing noise), enhanced natural beauty, and wildlife habitat (trees attract many species of wild birds into urban areas);

WHEREAS, trees improve the water quality of our rivers and streams by capturing rainfall, reducing erosion and runoff, and providing shade and cooling of streams, all of which are essential to fish and other aquatic life in the Northwest;

WHEREAS, in addition to all the environmental and health benefits of urban trees, they also add economic value by reducing energy use, contributing to tourism, and increasing property values;

WHEREAS, sometimes it is necessary for the City to remove trees for safety, development, or environmental reasons;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GREGORY J. NICKELS, Seattle Mayor, in recognition of the valuable contribution that trees make to our community, do order that all City departments replace every tree removed from City property in Seattle, for any reason with two new trees.

FURTHERMORE, I direct that replacement trees be of a type appropriate for the area, be no less than two inches in caliper, and be planted within two years of the removal of the existing tree.

FURTHERMORE, I direct that City departments make every effort to plant replacement trees in close proximity to the location of the original tree. Alternately, if planting is not possible at the same site or in the vicinity, replacement trees may be located elsewhere in Seattle.

FURTHERMORE, I direct City departments with responsibilities for tree management to develop or amend departmental tree policies to comply with this order.

FURTHERMORE, I direct this tree replacement policy to be applied to all contracts with private vendors for development on City-owned lands within the city of Seattle.

Questions regarding this Executive Order should be directed to Mark Mead at (206) 684-4113 (Parks) and Roy Francis (206) 233-7829 (SDOT).

Dated this_________day of ______________, 2005.

_________________________________ Gregory J. Nickels Mayor, City of Seattle

Executive Order 03-05 Tree Replacement