So now MoCo has a "Tree Tax"

CrazySanMan · Sep 13, 2013

mr h said:
Does this include the really tall trees, cleverly disguised as cell towers??

You owe me a keyboard!

CrazySanMan · Sep 13, 2013

MoCo puts the "trees" in treason

vector03 · Sep 13, 2013

mr h said:
If a tree falls in MoCo, and there's no one there to tax it, does it still kill puppies and butterflies?

Twice as many...because nobody is watching.

Don H · Sep 13, 2013

I have several scary black oak trees, they are high capacity (over 10 acorns per limb).
Do I have to have them registered by 10/1?
If so do I have to take the HQL (Hardwood Qualification License)?

Mr H · Sep 13, 2013

See... if you had White or Red oak, you wouldn't have a problem.

EBOs, on the other hand.........

JailHouseLiar · Sep 13, 2013

psucobra96 said:
"poop tax," "Rain Tax," "Bag Tax," and now a

"Tree Tax"

http://www.gazette.net/article/2013...ty-Council-passes-tree-bills&template=gazette

This county and state just cannot find enough crap to get their hands into and now they want to get into people's private property. I only figured this out after reading a comment in today's gazette about this insane law. If you need a sediment control permit (build a pool) or move 100 cubic feet of dirt then you would be subject to the law.

Edit: I read that the new law does not go into effect until March 1, 2014. I have several trees that will be coming down before that. TIMMMBEEERRRRR!!

This is like some nightmare. I just cannot believe how far the state has slidden.

MigraineMan · Sep 13, 2013

I'm particularly offended by this part:

Councilman Roger Berliner (D-Dist. 1) of Bethesda [said] “We are doing something that we have not ever done before, which is saying the trees on private property have community value that must be reflected and we are going to fight [to] retain canopy throughout our county.”

Yep. You don't own your trees any more.

MJD438 · Sep 13, 2013

Just more erosion of private property rights...

WeaponsCollector · Sep 13, 2013

I went to Mount Vernon and saw this.....

Those were the good old days!

Half-cocked · Sep 13, 2013

This could actually be a GOOD thing.

Let Montgomery County become wall-to-wall tree canopy. Then, when the next severe drought comes along, accompanied by 100 degree temperatures and high winds, the whole county will go up like a box of blue-tip matches.

(These idiots have obviously learned NOTHING from the raging fires out west this year....)

Pale Ryder · Sep 13, 2013

ofofhy said:
Just so people are clear on what this bill applies to, it is only for "roadside trees" that are on the county's right of way. It does not apply in general to all trees on your property.

Seems you missed the 35-12 Bill.

http://www.deeproot.com/blog/blog-entries/further-measures-to-protect-tree-canopy-in-montgomery-

browning guy · Sep 13, 2013

To the collectives there is no private property. Those trees are a
resource of the state.

MigraineMan · Sep 13, 2013

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

Nope, no mention of "trees" there.

No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.

Now that does close with "private property won't be taken for public use without compensation." However, the MoCo legislators will argue that they didn't take the property, they're just securing a public interest in your property .. and requiring you to pay fees and obtain permission to alter your property. You are completely free to do as you wish with your property, within certain bounds and restrictions. Completely free.

Miss Lead · Sep 13, 2013

If a tree falls on a liberal does it make a sound?

Won't all the extra canopy cover mess up their satellite imagery?

Sadly, these folks never studied history and are simply repeating it. Just replace the words "rain, poop and trees" with "paper, sugar and tea".

K-Romulus · Sep 13, 2013

From the article> "The intent was to offset the effects of infill development where often trees are removed to make way for new or larger buildings."

You mean all that housing development that the county approved?? Out in Olney it seems every scrap of wooded undeveloped private property in the area now has a development review sign posted out front. But if I take down my diseased 20' dogwood, I have to pay a $750 tax to basically subsidize the developers???

Mr H · Sep 13, 2013

browning guy said:
To the collectives there is no private property. Those trees are a
resource of the state.

Just wait until "Everyone belongs to everyone else"...........

Mr H · Sep 13, 2013

Miss Lead said:
If a tree falls on a ~~liberal~~ leftist does it make a sound?

Yes... it's like stepping on a frog.

Won't all the extra canopy cover mess up their satellite imagery?

Hard to calculate Rain Tax!!!!

Sadly, these folks never studied history and are simply repeating it. Just replace the words "rain, poop and trees" with "paper, sugar and tea".

Nice!!

Have I mentioned you'll do fine here?!!

lowoncash · Sep 13, 2013

Walt Disney is to blame. The movie 'FernGully' did for trees what 'Bambi' did for deer.

Jim12 · Sep 13, 2013

MigraineMan said:
I'm particularly offended by this part:

Yep. You don't own your trees any more.

If trees on private property have community value, so does your house, your lawn, all your personal property, and yes, even you. You are a ward of the State, or could be, in Berliner's world.

Mr H · Sep 13, 2013

Jim12 said:
If trees on private property have community value, so does your house, your lawn, all your personal property, and yes, even you. You are a ward of the State, or could be, in ~~Berliner's~~ Huxley's world.

Just sayin'......

(I know it's not a perfect analog... but the trend across .gov is disturbing)

So now MoCo has a "Tree Tax"

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