In an effort to balance tree preservation with development needs, New Jersey municipalities are now required to enact ordinances governing tree removal and replacement. Long Beach Township officials, at the board of commissioners meeting on Sept. 8, introduced Ordinance 25-14C to fulfill this state mandate.

“Trees play a critical, often overlooked, role in the water cycle and in the mitigation of stormwater runoff issues such as soil erosion, pollutant reduction, infiltration, quantity reduction…