forest mitigation loopholes
amanda farber
Here is a perfect example why there needs to be ongoing reviews and improvements to Montgomery County ’ s Forest Conservation Law . In 2021 , here along West Cedar Lane in Bethesda , a developer cleared 1.5 acres of urban forest ( area shown in red ). There was NO forest mitigation required because of a loophole in the law ( that particular loophole was thankfully recently closed , but too late for this location ; and other loopholes and weaknesses remain ). And there was no sign posted on site informing the neighbors about the project . On the parcel immediately to the north of ( area shown in blue ) they are going to be clearing another 1.2 acres of forest . As mitigation they are required to preserve . 8 acres and provide invasive plant management . Again , there is no sign on the site telling neighbors about the project . In total 2.5 acres of urban forest will be cleared with no forest replanting and minimal forest preservation actually required .
Amanda Farber has been a resident of Montgomery County , MD for 22 years . She serves on the Boards of Conservation Montgomery , Inc ., and Safe Healthy Playing Fields , Inc ., is Vice President of the East Bethesda Citizens Association , and is a member of the Bethesda Implementation Advisory Committee . She documents and advocates for forest and tree canopy in Bethesda and beyond .
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