Action Requested against section 5.14 of Appropriations Bill

​Read the email below to learn more about SB105 and the negative impacts it will have if passed. Contact your senators and use this as a script to personalize your message and urge them to remove section 5.14(a) from SB105. 


Good Afternoon Senator, 
 
I am reaching out to you as a concerned citizen. The recently passed Appropriations Bill (SB105) has a section about tree protection ordinances (Section 5.14(a), pg. 39) that will have a negative economic and environmental impact on NC communities. This section was previously known as HB496 and was met with great opposition from municipalities statewide, the NC League of Municipalities, the NC Wildlife Federation, and the Green Industry Council. 
 
Section 5.14(a) will erase long-term tree sustainability and conservation efforts that multiple municipalities already have in place to manage stormwater, soil erosion control, and air quality issues; efforts developed with the cooperation and input of a town’s citizens. This section creates unnecessary General Assembly oversight. The language offers no flexibility and no definitions to help municipalities in their sustainability and conservation efforts. Local governments should be able to guide their own development and conservation efforts, as they know their needs and limitations best.
 
If Section 5.14(a) passes, ultimately, large sections of our urban forest will be lost and potentially costing NC communities millions of dollars. Research proves that established urban trees and greenspace provide numerous economic, environmental, and health benefits to their surrounding community.    

• Large, mature trees save municipalities millions of dollars by reducing flooding in neighborhoods, reducing stress on wastewater treatment plants, and reducing polluted runoff into the city’s rivers and lakes.
• Occupancy rates and rental rates are higher (up to 7% higher) for commercial districts with large, mature trees. Apartments and offices in areas with mature trees rent more quickly, have higher occupancy rates and tenants stay longer.
• Developments that include established green space or natural areas in their plans sell homes faster and for higher profits than those that take the more traditional approach of building over an entire area without providing community green space.
• Having large trees in yards along streets increases a home’s value up to 15%.

Additionally, areas around North Carolina have experienced record high rainfalls in recent years and are seeing increased erosion and landslide occurrence. Mature trees and tree canopy play a significant role in private property soil stabilization and management.  
 
I implore you to remove section 5.14(a) about tree ordinances, as it will have a negative economic and environmental impact on NC communities. Please allow your community to guide its own growth and development in a way that will best fit its resources and needs. 
 
Sincerely,
(your name here)