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DEPARTMENT OF
TRANSPORTATION AND DEVELOPMENT OFFICE OF ENGINEERING |
EDSM No: I.1.1.21 |
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ENGINEERING DIRECTIVES AND STANDARDS MANUAL |
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VOLUME |
I |
DATE |
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CHAPTER |
1 |
SUBJECT |
TREATMENT OF
SIGNIFICANT TREES IN DOTD RIGHT-OF-WAY |
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SECTION |
1 |
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DIRECTIVE |
21 |
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1. PURPOSE:
The purpose of this directive is to establish a general
policy governing the treatment of significant trees by the Department within
the highway right-of-way, zone of construction or operational influence.
2. DEFINITION:
For
the purposes of this policy, a significant tree is a Live Oak, Red Oak, White
Oak, Magnolia or Cypress that is considered aesthetically important, 18"
or greater in diameter at breast height (4'-6" above the ground), and
having a form that separates it from the surrounding vegetation or is
considered historic. A historic tree is a tree that
stands at a place where an event of historic significance occurred that had
local, regional, or national importance. A tree may
also be considered historic if it has taken on a legendary stature to the
community; mentioned in literature or documents of historic value; considered
unusual due to size, age or has landmark status. Significant
trees must be in good health and not in a declining condition.
3. DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS:
The Landscape Architectural staff, and District Roadside
Development Coordinators shall be consulted during the scoping and/or
environmental phase. The Landscape Architectural staff
shall identify significant trees during the scoping and/or environmental phase. The Design Section shall indicate significant trees on the
plans and implement a context sensitive design (i.e. preservation, specified
limited impact, or special treatment) to accommodate these trees where
practical.
4. CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE CONSIDERATIONS:
The Project Engineer or the Maintenance Engineer shall
ensure that the contractor's or maintenance staff’s operations, respectively,
are sensitive to the treatment indicated in the plans or the situation. Construction and maintenance considerations may include
but are not limited to temporary fencing to protect trees from construction
equipment, avoidance of root zones, care of overhanging branches, safety issues
where the tree must be removed, installing guard rail etc.
Significant tree issues arising on
construction and/or maintenance projects shall be managed by the District
Roadside Development Coordinators, who shall seek the guidance of the Landscape
Architectural staff when questions arise.
5. CONSIDERATIONS FOR UTILITY COMPANIES:
Utility operators shall not prune trees identified as
significant by the Department. Alternate construction
methods such as changing the alignment will be required to avoid impacting the
significant tree(s). Removal of significant trees may
be necessary when electrical utility lines cannot be aligned to avoid removal. Consideration will be given to
boring to place utilities under only significant Live Oaks or trees of
historical significance where all other means of avoiding the trees have failed.
6. OTHER ISSUANCES AFFECTED:
This directive supersedes EDSM I.1.1.21 issued
7. EFFECTIVE DATE:
This policy becomes effective upon receipt.
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WILLIAM H. TEMPLE CHIEF ENGINEER |