A. Trees on public lands shall not be removed by private individuals without the prior written authorization of the Payette community forestry commission. The following criteria will be considered:
1. Whether the tree is sufficiently diseased or is an alternate host of an injurious disease.
2. Whether the tree is harboring injurious insects or pathogens and may cause significant potential danger to the Payette community forest.
3. The tree is dead or nearly dead and/or constitutes a public safety hazard.
4. The tree interferes with overhead utility lines and creates an irresolvable public safety hazard.
5. Any other criteria deemed to be in the public interest, such as, but not limited to, the destruction of sidewalks.
6. The Payette forestry commission issues a declaration of public nuisance.
B. Replacement of a public tree shall be required when removal of a public tree occurs without authorization from the Payette community forestry commission unless replacement would be contrary to the public interest. Said obligation of replacement shall be additional to other sanctions required by this chapter. Replacement may be required at a location different from the place of removal. (Ord. 1355, 2012)