A. To implement strategies for the management and protection of Lacey’s urban forest resources pursuant to the goals and policies of the Lacey Urban Forest Management Plan;

B. To implement the purposes of the State Growth Management Act relating to conservation of natural resources, including Lacey’s urban forest resources, pursuant to RCW 36.70A.050, 36.70A.060 and 36.70A.080;

C. To implement the purposes of the State Growth Management Act pursuant to RCW 36.70A.172, considering the many environmental benefits of the urban forest as described in Lacey’s Urban Forest Management Plan;

D. To promote the public health, safety, and general welfare of the citizens of Lacey without preventing the reasonable development of land;

E. To preserve and enhance the city’s physical and aesthetic character by preventing indiscriminate removal or destruction of trees and ground cover and to insure the protection of trees chosen to remain during construction;

F. To minimize surface water and ground water runoff and diversion and to prevent erosion and reduce the risk of slides;

G. To retain and utilize trees to assist in site planning, considering the abatement of noise, visual screening, protection from wind, and other site design issues;

H. To acknowledge that trees and ground cover have significant environmental and quality of life benefits as identified in Lacey’s Urban Forest Management Plan, such as the production of pure oxygen from carbon dioxide, the reduction of air pollution, help in providing clean water, control of soil erosion, use in design for energy efficiency and temperature control, noise attenuation, and wildlife habitat;

I. To promote building and site planning practices that are consistent with the city’s natural topography, soils, and vegetation features. At the same time certain factors may require the removal of certain trees and ground cover for things such as, but not limited to, disease, danger of falling, proximity to existing and proposed structures and improvements, interference with utility services, protection of solar access and the realization of a reasonable enjoyment of property;

J. To insure prompt development, restoration, replanting, and effective erosion control of property after land clearing;

K. To reduce water pollution from siltation in the city’s streams and lakes;

L. To implement the goals and objectives of the Washington State Environmental Policy Act;

M. To implement and further the City’s Comprehensive Land Use Plan and its Environmental Protection and Resource Conservation Element;

N. To encourage protection of wildlife and/or wildlife habitat whenever possible. (Ord. 1617 §1, 2022; Ord. 1269 §4, 2006; Ord. 904, 1991; Ord. 650 §1, 1982; Ord. 399 §1 (part), 1975).