With a goal of increasing housing development options in urban areas, a proposal would mandate that any city that requires protection of trees during development to establish an option to meet obligations using a “tree bank.”

HB 1078, sponsored by Rep. Davina Duerr (D – Bothell), intends to provide developers with an option to offset trees removed during housing development by planting trees elsewhere in the city – specifically, in a tree bank. The bill defines “tree banks” as “areas designated by a community wherein trees can be planted to compensate for the removal of trees elsewhere in order to enable development.”

The Department of Natural Resources is directed to provide technical assistance and capacity building support to cities and other entities to comply with this proposed law, including criteria on location of tree banks—such as areas with vulnerable populations and those experiencing urban heat island effect.

We expect there may be questions or concerns—please share any feedback before the hearing on January 11.

Dates to remember

HB 1078 will be heard on Wednesday, January 11 at 8 am in the House Local Government Committee and is scheduled for a vote in the same committee on Friday, January 13 at 10:30 am.