ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNICAL MANUAL The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission Prince George’s County Planning Department Approved by the Prince George’s County Planning Board July 29, 2010 EDITED BY PUBLICATIONS AS OF SEPTEMBER 22, 2010 TABLE OF CONTENTS ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNICAL MANUAL ........................................................................................................... 1 1.0 Introduction ....................................................................................................................................................................... 1 2.0 History of Environmental Regulations in Prince George’s County ................................................................... 1 3.0 Why Conservation Is Important .................................................................................................................................. 2 4.0 Conservation Vision for the Future ............................................................................................................................ 4 5.0 Addition of Tree Canopy Coverage Requirements ................................................................................................ 5 6.0 Environmental Regulations and the Land Development Process .................................................................... 5 7.0 Data Sources for Plan Preparation ............................................................................................................................. 7 8.0 Standard Symbols and Sheet Layouts ........................................................................................................................ 8 9.0 Preparation of Plans by Qualified Professionals .................................................................................................... 9 PART A WOODLAND AND WILDLIFE HABITAT CONSERVATION TECHNICAL MANUAL ............ A­1 1.0 Introduction ................................................................................................................................................................... A­1 2.0 Trees and the Law in Prince George’s County ..................................................................................................... A­1 3.0 Process and Applicability .......................................................................................................................................... A­1 4.0 Forest Stand Delineation ........................................................................................................................................... A­3 4.1 Types of Forest Stand Delineations................................................................................................................................... A‐3 4.1.1 Simplified Forest Stand Delineation ....................................................................................................... A‐3 4.1.2 Intermediate Forest Stand Delineation................................................................................................. A‐4 4.1.3 Detailed Forest Stand Delineation .......................................................................................................... A‐4 4.2 Forest Stand Delineation Preparation Methodology ................................................................................................. A‐5 4.2.1 Step 1: Background Information Collection/Base Map Preparation ....................................... A‐5 4.2.2 Step 2: Base Map Evaluation ...................................................................................................................... A‐8 4.2.3 Step 3: Field Survey .................................................................................................................................... A‐10 4.2.3a General Site Conditions ........................................................................................................... A‐10 4.2.3b Sample Points and Sample Point Data Sheets ............................................................... A‐10 4.2.3c Specimen, Champion, and Historic Trees ........................................................................ A‐12 4.2.4 Step 4: Analysis of Field Survey Data .................................................................................................. A‐15 4.2.4a Summary of Stand Characteristics and Forest Stand Summary Sheets ............. A‐16 4.2.4b Analysis of Stand Characteristics ........................................................................................ A‐16 4.2.4c Assigning Conservation Priorities ...................................................................................... A‐16 4.2.4d Forest Stand Analysis Report ............................................................................................... A‐20 4.2.5 Step 5: Preparation of the Final Forest Stand Delineation for Submission ....................... A‐20 5.0 Letters of Exemption ................................................................................................................................................. A­20 5.1 Preparation of the Application Package ....................................................................................................................... A‐21 5.2 Standard Letters of Exemption ........................................................................................................................................ A‐23 i 5.3 Numbered Letters of Exemption ..................................................................................................................................... A‐23 6.0 Type 1 Tree Conservation Plan (TCP1) ............................................................................................................... A­24 6.1 Submission of a TCP1 ........................................................................................................................................................... A‐24 6.2 Process for Preparing a TCP1 ........................................................................................................................................... A‐24 6.2.1 Step 1: Priority Areas for Preservation and Replanting ............................................................. A‐24 6.2.2 Step 2: Calculating the Woodland Conservation Requirement ............................................... A‐25 6.2.3 Step 3: Illustration of How the Requirement is Being Met ........................................................ A‐26 6.2.4 Step 4: Worksheet and Standard Notes ............................................................................................. A‐27 6.2.5 Step 5: Quality Control Check ................................................................................................................. A‐28 6.2.6 Step 6: Signature and Date by Qualified Professional ................................................................. A‐28 6.3 Completing a TCP1 Worksheet ........................................................................................................................................ A‐28 6.4 EPS Approval Block ............................................................................................................................................................... A‐30 7.0 Type 2 Tree Conservation Plan (TCP2) ............................................................................................................... A­31 7.1 Applicability of a TCP2 ......................................................................................................................................................... A‐32 7.2 TCP2 Preparation Methodology ...................................................................................................................................... A‐32 7.2.1 Submittal Requirements ........................................................................................................................... A‐32 7.2.2 Plan Preparation Process ......................................................................................................................... A‐33 7.2.2a Step 1: Establishing the Limits of Disturbance ............................................................. A‐33 7.2.2b Step 2: Planning for the Preservation of Existing Woodlands ............................... A‐33 7.2.2c Step 3: Determining the Woodland Conservation Requirements ........................ A‐34 7.2.2d Step 4: How Woodland Conservation Requirements Are Met ............................... A‐34 7.2.2e Step 5: Final TCP2 Worksheet .............................................................................................. A‐34 7.2.2f Step 6: Completing the Plan .................................................................................................. A‐35 7.3 Specialized TCP2s .................................................................................................................................................................. A‐35 7.3.1 Woodland Conservation Banks ............................................................................................................. A‐35 7.3.1a Preapproval of Woodland Conservation Banks............................................................ A‐35 7.3.1b Required Plans ............................................................................................................................ A‐35 7.3.1c Required Documents ................................................................................................................ A‐37