Best practice: How easy is it to prevent tree cutting in Israel?

How easy is it to prevent tree cutting in Israel?

In order to embed the application process for a standard, uniform and transparent license to fell or transplant trees, which will allow optimal protection of the trees, the Ministry of Agriculture has formulated, in recent months, the draft regulations now published for public perusal and comments. The regulations set a new standard in the field and increase its accessibility to the general public. Inter alia, the regulations stipulate a new obligation of publishing, according to which signs must be placed in a prominent location near the tree that is the subject of the application, for 14 days, and to provide the public with an additional notification mechanism that will facilitate objections. In addition, the existing advertising mechanism on the website of the Ministry of Agriculture will be upgraded in a manner that will improve the interfaces with the public and increase its ability to take part in the process.

Moreover, the new regulations define how the value of the tree, for which an application is submitted, should be determined. This includes stipulating that each tree will be given a score according to four uniform criteria, in the range of 0-5 points for each criterion, including: The species of the tree; the location of the tree; its environmental contribution; and its condition. This score will serve as the basis for the reasoned decision of the forest officer, which will be submitted within 30 days of the date of receipt of all the required documents.

The regulations also stipulate that, as a general rule, a felling license that has been granted will require the replacement planting of a tree, in accordance with the value of the tree determined by the forest officer. To the extent that the forest officer believes that a replacement planting cannot be carried out, due to environmental conditions or special circumstances, he will set, in the license conditions, a monetary levy as published in this section.

The regulations produce a more rigorous oversight mechanism by the Government Forest Officer in relation to the actions of felling or transplanting trees, as part of Local Authority development plans. This is effected through a control and approval mechanism of plans that details the development activities that are planned to be carried out by the Authority and involve the felling or transplanting of trees. The plans will be submitted for review and approval by the Government Forest Officer and, after their approval, it will be possible to issue licenses that comply with what is stated in them, depending on the progress of the implementation of the plan.

The Government Forest Officer at the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Erez Barkai, stated: “Felling a tree is an irreversible step, and therefore requires a reasoned and uniform consideration process. We, at the Forest and Trees Division of the Ministry of Agriculture, are currently piloting a broad move to increase transparency throughout the process, in order to expand the public’s ability to take part in it. To date, the Ministry of Agriculture has operated through work procedures, which have established methods of action in the field, and supervisory and audit mechanisms. The new regulations enshrine a common and uniform language for forest officials throughout the decision-making process, which will certainly streamline their work and create standardization in the field but, no less importantly, they effectively regulate the work of regional forest officers, alleviate the bureaucratic burden resting on the shoulders of the public and maximize the value of protecting trees.”