The City finds that rapid growth, the spread of development and increasing demands upon natural resources have had the effect of encroaching upon, despoiling, or eliminating many of the trees, woodlands and other forms of vegetation and natural resources and processes associated therewith which, if preserved and maintained in an undisturbed and natural condition, constitute important physical, aesthetic, recreational, health and economic assets to existing and future residents of the City. Specifically, the City finds:
(a) That trees and woodlands protect the public health through the absorption of air pollutants and contamination, by the reduction of excessive noise and mental and physical damage related to noise pollution, and through their cooling effect in the summer months;
(b) That trees and woodlands are an essential component of the general welfare of the City by maintaining natural beauty, recreational opportunities, wildlife habitat, and irreplaceable heritage for existing and future City residents;
(c) That trees and woodlands play an important role in filtering waste water which passes through the ground from the surface to ground water tables and lower aquifers;
(d) That trees and woodlands, through their root systems, stabilize the soil and play an important and effective part in City-wide soil conservation, erosion control, and flood control;
(e) That trees and woodlands appreciably reduce the carbon dioxide content and increase the oxygen content of the air and play a vital role in purifying the air; and,
(f) That the protection of such natural resources is a matter of paramount public concern, as provided by Article IV, Section 52, of the Constitution of the State of Michigan and the Michigan Environmental Protection Act of 1970, being M.C.L.A. 691.1201 et seq.
(Ord. 682. Passed 8-18-99; Ord. 829. Passed 6-14-06.)