NY S08197

Amends General Municipal Law Section 96-b to require municipalities, parks departments, highway departments, and other local entities to maintain biodiversity when undertaking tree planting projects in public locations.

Establishes the "10-20-30 principle" as the biodiversity standard: no more than 10 percent of any one species, 20 percent of any one genus, or 30 percent of any one family in a tree population.

Requires the biodiversity percentage to be measured across the entire tree population, not limited to individual planting projects alone.

Adds legislative findings that biodiversity in replanting efforts helps municipalities avoid future tree loss and provides resistance against mass susceptibility to invasive species.

Takes effect January 1, 2019 or 270 days after becoming law, whichever is later.