Mercer County Goverment: Commissioners Pass First-Ever County-Wide “No Net Tree Loss” Policy

Press release from the Mercer County Government:

03/30/2021 7:58 PM

Trenton – On Thursday, March 25, the Mercer County Board of County Commissioners unanimously approved a resolution supporting a “No Net Tree Loss” policy in Mercer County.

 “This board has shown a commitment to Mercer County’s environmental, economic and social stewardship, this policy continues to show just how committed we are to those goals,” said Commissioner Lucy Walter. “We understand that this is an aspirational policy but if we never start the journey we will never achieve the goal.”

The State of New Jersey has created a formula that can be easily adapted for County use to ensure environmental, and social justice through requiring replanting with native species on the property from which trees have been removed, or if that is not feasible, then in descending order 

“If the County removes a tree we want that tree replaced. Ideally, that tree would be replaced in the town where it was taken down but if that is not feasible this policy allows for a replacement tree to be planted anywhere in the County,” said Commissioner Andrew Koontz. “By having a policy like this in place replanting will be part of the planning process on all future projects. 

Certified copies of the approved resolution have been sent to all twelve Mercer County municipalities

This press release was produced by the Mercer County Government. The views expressed here are the author’s own.