Boise Forestry 2015_Appendix A

Appendix A - Community Forestry / City Policy Synthesis Vegetative Resource

CRITERIA

Relative Canopy Cover

Age distribution of trees in the community

Species suitability

Species distribution

Condition of Publiclymanaged Trees (including ROW trees)

Publicly-owned natural areas (e.g. riparian corridors, Boise River greenbelts)

Detailed understanding of the condition and risk potential of all publiclymanaged trees

Detailed understanding of the ecological structure and function of all publiclyowned natural areas.

Native vegetation

Key Objective

Governing Document

Date

Author

1

Boise Tree Ordinance

2000

COB

2

Boise Parks & Recreation Community Forestry Unit Management Plan

2006

COB

3

Public Land Open Space Management Plan for the Boise Foothills

2000

COB/Spatial Dynamics

4

City of Boise, Idaho Municipal Forest Resource Analysis

2007

USDA

5

Comprehensive Park and Recreation Plan

2011

COB

6

Blueprint Boise, Boise's Comprehensive Plan

2011

COB

7

Treasure Valley Urban Tree Canopy Assessment

2013

Plan-it GEO

8

Boise River Resources Management & Master Plan

2014

COB

9

Boise Development Code

2013

COB

10

ACHD Tree Planting Policy

2010

ACHD

11

Boise, Idaho Downtown Walkability Analysis

2013

Speck & Associates

12

Downtown Boise Streetscape Standards

2007

CCDC

13

Trees in Downtown Boise

2013

COB

14

City of Boise, Strategic Plan

2011

COB

Indicator Assessment Legend Governs

Addressess

Mentions

N/A

Achieve climateappropriate degree of tree cover, community-wide

Provide for uneven-aged distribution city-wide as well as at the neighborhood level.

Establish a tree population suitable for the urban environment and adapted to the regional environment.

Establish a genetically diverse tree population city-wide and at the neighborhood level.

Preservation and enhancement of local natural biodiversity

Governs - document mandates community forestry action pertinent to the resource crtieria. This could be ordinances, goals from other management plans, or city wide initiatives.

Addresses - document supplies information pertinent to the resource criteria through suggested actions or desired outcomes or forestry data.

Mentions - document mentions community forestry resource criteria but does not provide data or set mandated goals or actions for the program.

Not Applicable - document is not applicable to the resource critera.

Appendix A - Community Forestry / City Policy Synthesis Resource Management

CRITERIA

Tree Inventory

Canopy Cover Assessment

City-wide management plan

Municipality-wide funding

City staffing

Tree establishment, planning and implementation

Maintenance of publiclyowned, highly-managed trees (not open space)

Urban Forest renewal is ensured through a comprehensive tree establishment program driven by canopy cover, species diversity, and species distribution objectives

All publicly-owned, highlymanaged trees are maintained to maximize current and future benefits. Tree health and condition ensure maximum longevity.

Tree Risk Management

Tree protection policy development and enforcement

Publicly-owned natural areas management planning and implementation

The benefits derived from largestature/mature trees and growing canopy are ensured by the enforcement of municipal wide policies.

The ecological structure and function of all publicly-owned natural areas are protected and, where appropriate, enhanced.

Key Objective

Governing Document

Date

Author

1

Boise Tree Ordinance

2000

COB

2

Boise Parks & Recreation Community Forestry Unit Management Plan

2006

COB

3

Public Land Open Space Management Plan for the Boise Foothills

2000

COB/Spatial Dynamics

4

City of Boise, Idaho Municipal Forest Resource Analysis

2007

USDA

5

Comprehensive Park and Recreation Plan

2011

COB

6

Blueprint Boise, Boise's Comprehensive Plan

2011

COB

7

Treasure Valley Urban Tree Canopy Assessment

2013

Plan-it GEO

8

Boise River Resources Management & Master Plan

2014

COB

9

Boise Development Code

2013

COB

10

ACHD Tree Planting Policy

2010

ACHD

11

Boise, Idaho Downtown Walkability Analysis

2013

Speck & Associates

12

Downtown Boise Streetscape Standards

2007

CCDC

13

Trees in Downtown Boise

2013

COB

14

City of Boise, Strategic Plan

2011

COB

Indicator Assessment Legend Governs

Addressess

Mentions

N/A

Comprehensive inventory of the tree resource to direct its management.

This includes: age distribution, species mix, tree condition, risk assessment.

High resolution assessments of the existing and potential canopy cover for the entire community.

Develop and implement a comprehensive urban forest management plan community-wide.

Develop and maintain adequate funding to implement a city-wide urban forest management plan

Employ and train adequate staff to implement city-wide urban forestry plan

Governs - document mandates community forestry action pertinent to the resource crtieria. This could be ordinances, goals from other management plans, or city wide initiatives.

Addresses - document supplies information pertinent to the resource criteria through suggested actions or desired outcomes or forestry data.

Mentions - document mentions community forestry resource criteria but does not provide data or set mandated goals or actions for the program.

Not Applicable - document is not applicable to the resource critera.

All publicly-owned trees are managed with safety as a high priority.

Appendix A - Community Forestry / City Policy Synthesis Community Framework

CRITERIA

Public agency cooperation (interdepartmental and interagency)

Involvement of large institutional land holders (ex. hospitals, campuses)

Green industry cooperation

Neighborhood action

Citizen-municipalitybusiness interaction

General awareness of trees as a community resource

Regional cooperation

All constituencies in the community interact for the benefit of the urban forest.

The general public understanding the role of the urban forest.

Provide for cooperation and interaction among neighboring communities and regional groups.

Key Objective

Governing Document

Date

Author

1

Boise Tree Ordinance

2000

COB

2

Boise Parks & Recreation Community Forestry Unit Management Plan

2006

COB

3

Public Land Open Space Management Plan for the Boise Foothills

2000

COB/Spatial Dynamics

4

City of Boise, Idaho Municipal Forest Resource Analysis

2007

USDA

5

Comprehensive Park and Recreation Plan

2011

COB

6

Blueprint Boise, Boise's Comprehensive Plan

2011

COB

7

Treasure Valley Urban Tree Canopy Assessment

2013

Plan-it GEO

8

Boise River Resources Management & Master Plan

2014

COB

9

Boise Development Code

2013

COB

10

ACHD Tree Planting Policy

2010

ACHD

11

Boise, Idaho Downtown Walkability Analysis

2013

Speck & Associates

12

Downtown Boise Streetscape Standards

2007

CCDC

13

Trees in Downtown Boise

2013

COB

14

City of Boise, Strategic Plan

2011

COB

Indicator Assessment Legend Governs

Addressess

Mentions

N/A

Ensure all city departments and agencies cooperate with common goals and objectives.

Large private landholders embrace city-wide goals and objectives through specific resource management plans.

The green industry operates with high professional standards and commits to city-wide goals and objectives.

At the neighborhood level, citizens understand and cooperate in urban forest management.

Governs - document mandates community forestry action pertinent to the resource crtieria. This could be ordinances, goals from other management plans, or city wide initiatives.

Addresses - document supplies information pertinent to the resource criteria through suggested actions or desired outcomes or forestry data.

Mentions - document mentions community forestry resource criteria but does not provide data or set mandated goals or actions for the program.

Not Applicable - document is not applicable to the resource critera.

City of Boise Community Forestry – City Policy Synthesis 1. Boise Tree Ordinance -­‐ Author: City of Boise, Publication Date: 2000

The Boise Tree Ordinance was originally drafted in 1952, which demonstrates how the City has valued its tree resources for decades. The Boise Tree Ordinance establishes regulations and service levels to ensure the City continues to realize the benefits provided by the urban forest.

The ordinance underwent a significant redraft in 2000, but its main purposes are still to protect public safety, health, and welfare through the preservation and planting of shade trees. The ordinance explains that trees are important elements of the environment that protect public health, safety and welfare and ecosystem services (e.g. aesthetic, weather and energy, economics – property values, air and water quality – stormwater, noise pollution and habitat).

Additionally, the Boise Tree Ordinance establishes the duties of the City Forester, clarifies the responsibilities of property owners in caring for trees and explains the laws regarding damage to public trees.

2. Boise Parks & Recreation Community Forestry Management Plan -­‐ Author: City of Boise, Publication Date: 2006

The City of Boise Parks & Recreation Community Forestry Unit drafted this management plan in 2006. The Community Forestry Management Plan is composed of four major elements; Administration and Education, Maintenance and Operation, Tree Planting, and Downtown Trees. The plan provides goals within these four elements and explains the objectives that need to be met to achieve these goals. The plan provided guidance for the Community Forestry Unit for nearly 10 years. The plan describes policies and ordinances related to trees in Boise and how these ordinances and policies guide the Community Forestry Unit. The plan is informative regarding preventative maintenance (proper planning, species selection, planting and routine pruning) and crisis management (tree removal, fallen debris, and control of major insect and disease outbreaks) activities performed by the Community Forestry Unit. The document demonstrates the importance of tree pruning as tree maintenance reduces crisis management situations and improves the overall health, safety, and attractiveness of the urban forest. For more information on the 2006 Community Forestry Management Plan, please see the 2006 Report Card Section.

3. Public Land Open Space Management Plan for the Boise Foothills -­‐ Author: City of Boise & Spatial Dynamics, Publication Date: 2000

The Public Land Open Space Management Plan for the Boise Foothills was created in 2000 and establishes management actions for conservation, education and public use of open spaces in the Boise Foothills. The plan is 15 years old and is, at the time of writing the 2015 Community

Forestry Plan, under revision, but the plan identifies important open space values and recommends management strategies guiding decision-­‐makers toward publicly desired conditions. The 2000 plan explains that the City of Boise manages only 1% of the open space available to the public in the Boise Foothills. The remainder is managed by Ada County, Idaho Department of Lands (IDL), the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the United States Forest Service (USFS). The Boise Foothills are shrub-­‐scrub dominated landscape with little tree canopy.

Trees are primarily found in riparian areas and at higher elevations adjacent to and within USFS land. Regardless of the limited expanse of trees in the Foothills, the Open Space plan pays special attention to them by promoting conservation of riparian areas, and Ada County advocates the preservation of existing trees and wildlife corridors.

4. City of Boise , Idaho Municipal Forest Resource Analysis -­‐ Author: USDA Forest Service, Publication Date: 2007

The City of Boise, Idaho Municipal Forest Resource Analysis evaluates the City’s street, within the Right of Way (ROW), and park trees. The primary question that this study asks is whether the accrued benefits from Boise’s ROW trees justify annual expenditures. And the answer to that question is yes. The Municipal Forest Resource Analysis combines the results of a citywide tree inventory with benefit–cost modeling data to produce four types of information on the city-­‐ managed tree resource: structure (species composition, diversity, age distribution, condition, etc.), function (magnitude of annual environmental and aesthetic benefits) , value (dollar value of benefits minus management costs), and management needs (sustainability, planting, maintenance).

The grand total for all annual benefits – environmental and aesthetic – provided by ROW trees is $1,002,263, an average of $43 per street tree. Boise spends approximately $770,784 in a typical year maintaining its public ROW trees ($33.13/tree). Subtracting Boise’s total expenditures on ROW trees from total annual benefits shows that Boise’s municipal ROW tree population is a valuable asset, providing approximately $231,479 or $9.95 per tree ($1.11 per capita) in net annual benefits to the community. As a major component of Boise’s Green Infrastructure, the 23,262 street trees are estimated to have a replacement value of $88,266,102 or $3,794 per tree.

5. Comprehensive Park and Recreation Plan -­‐ Author: City of Boise, Publication Date: 2011

The Comprehensive Park and Recreation Plan is a voluminous document that details Boise’s Parks and Open Space, and explains the Community Forestry Unit’s role in maintaining and preserving Boise’s urban forest. The plan provides statistics for every park in the City’s system, much of which is related to forestry. The City owns and manages more than 1,937 acres of “green” parks, neighborhood pathways, road ROWs, and 4,380 acres of open space all of which is maintained by the Parks and Recreation Department (Department). The Department also maintains the Greenbelt, a popular linear park that stretches approximately 22.5 total miles along the Boise River. More than 23,000 trees on public ROW, more than 11,000 park trees, and

an estimated 10,000 Greenbelt trees are all under the management and jurisdiction of the Department’s Community Forestry Unit. The Comprehensive Plan sets goals and objectives for the Department as well as outcomes and performance measures, such as replacing 1.5 trees for every lost tree. The Comprehensive Plan specifically addresses several important aspects of the Community Forestry Unit. For example, the plan recommends the continuation of the Tree Stewards Program, promoting a healthy urban forest through pruning and tree care, employing certified arborists for tree care, ensuring irrigation is provided to all trees in the public ROW, enhancement of the existing urban forest through tree planting, and the benefits the urban forest plays in maintaining a healthy community. The Comprehensive Plan pays special attention to the City’s core initiative of sustainability, promoting sustainable measures through urban forestry throughout. The Comprehensive Park and Recreation Plan is a fundamental document that governs the Community Forestry Unit’s work throughout the City and the Unit’s importance to promoting the multiple benefits and ecosystem services citizens reap from Boise’s Urban forest.

6. Blueprint Boise, Boise’s Comprehensive Plan -­‐ Author: City of Boise, Publication Date: 2011

Blueprint Boise is Boise’s Comprehensive Plan. The Comprehensive Plan covers all City departments by providing direction for a 20 year horizon. A major tenant of Blueprint Boise is sustainability. The document explains, “A sustainable community is one where the integrated economic, social, and environmental systems are structured to support healthy, productive, and meaningful lives for its residents, while laying the foundation for a high quality of life without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” Blueprint Boise focuses on four objectives; create a clear vision for the future, establish a strong linkage between land use, transportation, and urban design, provide clear guidance at the planning-­‐area level, and synchronize regulations with the community’s vision. Blueprint Boise is broken into 7 themes that relate to Boise Quality of Life: 1. Environmental Stewardship, 2. A Predictable Pattern of Development, 3. A Community of Stable Neighborhoods and Vibrant Mixed-­‐Use Activity Centers, 4. A Connected Community, 5. A Community that Values its Culture, Education, Arts, and History, 6. A Strong Diverse Economy, and 7. A Healthy, Safe, and Caring Community.

The Community Forestry Unit is mentioned or directed in all of the 7 thematic areas, but most often related to themes 1, 3, 4 and 7. Chapter 5 of Blueprint Boise is the Action Plan, which is a set of targeted actions necessary to begin to implement the Comprehensive Plan over the initial 1 to 3 years. Many of the actions in the Action Plan involve the Community Forestry Unit. For example, supporting tree protection by expanding the Boise Tree Ordinance to include; tree protection requirements for private development, particularly infill development in established areas of the community; the retention of healthy trees that exceed a particular caliper in size; replacement standards for tree removal; provisions to discourage the premature removal of trees in advance of development; and standards for increasing tree canopy in parking lots are all mentioned. Blueprint Boise is another fundament document, like the Parks and Recreation Comprehensive Plan that governs the Community Forestry Unit actions.

7. Treasure Valley Urban Tree Canopy Assessment -­‐ Author: Plan-­‐it Geo, Publication Date: 2013

The Treasure Valley Urban Tree Canopy (UTC) Assessment and Report covers a geographic area larger than Boise, but provides specific data, explains quality Geographic Information System (Data) for the City. The UTC Assessment and Report bring together data from two complimentary studies (Land Cover Mapping and Urban Tree Canopy Analysis Results & Ecosystem Services Analysis and Results) to evaluate and understand the extent and value of the region’s trees. The data and tools produced enable managers to develop strategies for community development, air quality enhancement, energy conservation, stormwater management, and community forest management. The GIS data produced from the UTC assessment have provided a wealth of information during the formulation of the City of Boise Community Forest Management Plan, by providing illustrative maps and specific data that explains the City’s Urban Forest. These maps and data were extremely helpful during the stakeholder engagement process.

8. Boise River Resources Management & Master Plan -­‐ Author: City of Boise, Publication Date: 2014

The primary goals of the Boise River Resources Management and Master Plan, written by the City of Boise’s Parks & Recreation Department, are to protect and enhance public safety and health, to provide recreational opportunities, and to protect natural resource values of the river corridor. The Plan includes seventy-­‐seven recommendations in four management areas – public safety, recreation, natural resources, and education. In terms of Community Forestry, the Plan addresses the Greenbelt path and the trees that line it. The Habitat Management Section references Boise Parks and Recreation’s maintenance manuals and tree management plan as well as the importance of Black Cottonwood, a native tree species. Within the Natural Resource Recommendations are forestry specific actions that include; restore riparian areas; plant trees to shade water, use volunteers to wrap diverse age classes of trees to protect from beavers.

9. Boise Development Code -­‐ Author: City of Boise, Publication Date: 2013

The Boise Development Code is a 449 page document whose purpose is to promote the public health, safety, and general welfare of present and future residents, and to bring about coordinated and efficient development. The Development Code encompasses many aspects of land use planning within the City yet details many aspects of development that govern the activities of the Community Forestry Unit and how trees are incorporated into Boise’s urban landscape. For example, Section 11-­‐07-­‐05 Lanscaping, Fences, Walls and Screening provides specifics on the size of tree wells, street trees and the use of conifers along streets, height of street trees and their use near overhead wires, tree spacing, tree species mix (how many species are needed when a certain number of trees are planted) and approved plant material. The Development Code adopts the Community Forestry Unit’s (latest edition) Tree Selection Guide as the list of approved and recommended trees for on-­‐site planting.

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11.

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ACHD Tree Planting Policy -­‐ Author: ACHD, Publication Date: 2010

This document explains ACHD’s tree planting policies; where, how, and species used. The Tree Planting Policy is primarily for actions in the right-­‐of-­‐way (ROW). The document provides a license agreement checklist that the individual would use if they were applying for a permit to plant a tree within the ROW. ACHD also addresses the use of green infrastructure (GSI,) including trees, within and adjacent to seepage beds, vegetative swales and other approved ACHD GSI. The document also includes a list of approved trees, which corresponds with the City of Boise Tree Selection Guide. Lastly the Tree Planting Policy provides Diagrams for planting trees with the ROW.

Boise, Idaho Downtown Walkability Analysis -­‐ Author: CCDC, Publication Date: 2013

The downtown Boise Walkability Analysis examines Boise from a walker’s perspective, with special attention paid to the safety and aesthetic nature of downtown streets. The document demonstrates and expounds on how trees ensure a safe walk. For example, “a safe walk includes continuous shade trees as street trees are similar to parked cars in the way that they protect the sidewalks from the moving cars beyond them and street trees result in fewer crashes (slows traffic).” The Walkability Analysis provides specifics about streets in downtown Boise such as, most streets in downtown Boise lack adequate cover. The document illustrates how street trees are also essential to pedestrian comfort in a number of ways, as they reduce temperature and wind. The Walkability Analysis offers a series of recommendations on how to make Boise more walkable including planting trees (even in pots), and that the City’s tree list should be reviewed and purged of any species that is merely decorative and does not grow to a significant height.

Downtown Boise Streetscape Standards -­‐ Author: CCDC, Publication Date: 2007

CCDC drafted the streetscape standards to ensure downtown Boise’s streets were properly designed to ensure safety and aesthetics. The streetscape standards consist of three components: the streetscape character map, the streetscape standards text, and the streetscape diagrams. The standards define how trees are to be planted and incorporated into the various streetscapes of Boise (e.g. Class II trees in wide urban sidewalks with 6x6 tree well, etc.). The standards explains how Class I trees within 15’ of overhead lines are to be treated.

Most importantly the streetscape standards explain that planting, pruning and the use of trees must be coordinated with Boise Community Forestry.

Trees in Downtown Boise -­‐ Author: City of Boise, Publication Date: 2013

Trees in Downtown Boise is an informative flyer aimed at the general public and address frequently asked questions regarding trees in downtown Boise. This document is great

introduction for local citizens to gain an understanding of the benefits trees provide, what the ROW is, what property owners responsibilities amongst many other important questions.

14. City of Boise, Strategic Plan -­‐ Author: City of Boise, Publication Date: 2011

The City of Boise Strategic Plan is a web site that explains the fundamental aspects of the strategic planning process and how citizens help the City of Boise achieve their goals. The site is divided into 3 sections; 1. The Big Picture, which explains how the strategic plan is implemented, 2. The Strategy Map, which is a visualization graphic depicting the essential elements of the City’s Strategic Plan and 3. Map In Action, which provides specific examples of how City departments are using the Strategic Plan to achieve city-­‐wide goals.