(a) Established. A Department assigned by the Executive must create a County Tree Canopy Conservation Account. The Account must be used as provided in this Chapter and the adopted operating budget.
(b) Use of funds. The assigned Department must use funds deposited in the Tree Canopy Conservation Account only to plant and maintain shade trees, including costs directly related to site identification, preparation, and other activities that increase tree canopy. Funds deposited into the Account must not revert to the General Fund and must not be used to hire additional County staff or to supplant funds otherwise appropriated to plant and maintain shade trees and enhance tree canopy.
(c) Fines. Any fine collected for noncompliance with shade tree planting requirements must be deposited in a separate account in the Tree Canopy Conservation Account and must be used to administer this Chapter.
(d) Plantings.
(1) Shade trees native to the Piedmont area of the County should be used, if feasible, to meet the mitigation requirements of this Chapter.
(2) The planting of shade trees under this Chapter must occur in the subwatershed where the project is located, if feasible. Otherwise the shade trees may be planted anywhere in the County.
(3) In planting trees under this paragraph, the assigned Department must give highest priority to those areas of the County, such as central business districts and other urban and suburban areas, that have relatively low tree canopy coverage. (2013 L.M.C., ch. 21, § 1.)