CT HB05506

Require a certified arborist employed by the Department of Transportation or Department of Energy and Environmental Protection to review and approve all tree removals along state highways, with exceptions for immediate public safety threats or weather-related civil preparedness emergencies.

Mandate the Commissioner of Transportation publish annually the amount of money spent on tree removal under section 13a-140 of the general statutes.

Require the Commissioner to publish a schedule of vegetation management work at least four weeks prior to performing such work, except in cases of immediate public safety threats or declared weather-related emergencies.

Require notification to municipal tree wardens at least four weeks before any proposed tree removal in their municipalities, with the same exceptions for emergency situations.

Obligate the Commissioner to plan for, plant, and care for replacement trees, shrubs, or other vegetation where trees are removed to prevent erosion, flooding, standing water, invasive vegetation spread, and to remove resulting wood chips and debris.