The Forest Conservation Act of 1991 has far reaching language, including reforesting lands cleared for development and afforesting, which means planting trees where no trees have existed for many years.  We urge amending the Forest Conservation act to remove the afforestation section completely. We urge state government to recognize the difference between rural low-density development and urban high-density development in relation to tree conservation. The percentage of reforestation needs to be based on actual forest that is destroyed, rather than the present threshold percentage of parcels.’06
     We oppose county ordinances that are more restrictive than state regulations with regards to the harvesting of trees.’06
     Preservation or establishment of forest land should not take priority over agricultural lands under the state of Maryland’s conservation or land use programs. ’08