Forest Conservation Program
The Forest Conservation Law aims to save, maintain and plant forested areas for the benefit of county residents and future generations. Trees and forests filter groundwater, slow stormwater runoff, help alleviate flooding and supply wildlife habitat. Trees cleanse the air, offset the heat generated by development and reduce energy needs. And in a less tangible sense, trees improve quality of life in a community by providing recreation and visual appeal. In 2007, the Montgomery County Planning Board proposed a revised Forest Conservation Law to clarify who the law applies to and what’s required if it does. Witness a potential forest conservation violation? Call 301-495-1314.
Latest News
Environmental planners have mapped the approximately 3,000 easements across Montgomery County to inform the public about how to respect easements and protect natural resources. Locate areas under easement.
Effective October 1, 2009: Maryland State Bill 666 – Natural Resources – No Net Loss of Forest Policy- Forest Conservation Act takes effect.
Effective July 1, 2009: The fee-in-lieu rate will be increased to $1 per square foot. New fees also will go into effect for:
- Amendments to approved Natural Resource Inventories/Forest Stand Delineations
- Amendments to approved Forest Conservation Plans
- Requests to reduce change or release financial security
- Requests to install fences in a conservation easement
- Review and approval of forest conservation banks
Leaves for Neighborhoods 
The Montgomery County Planning Department has launched a tree planting program, Leaves for Neighborhoods, to increase the county’s tree canopy on residential property. Partner with us by planting shade trees in your yard.
M-NCPPC staff are reforesting three areas along Rock Creek near Jones Mill Road, Beach Drive and East-West Highway.Rock Creek Reforestation
As part of our ongoing effort to improve water quality and habitat along the main stem of Rock Creek, the Montgomery County Department of Parks and Planning Department staff reforested land in the stream buffer near Jones Mill Road, Beach Drive and East-West Highway. About 500, six-ft tall trees will be planted on 2½ acres stretching along the west side of the creek. The project was completed in November 2008.
The planting followed years of effort to control invasive vines along the creek edge. As the new forest establishes, tree roots will help stabilize the stream bank and improve the health of the creek. Ball fields and recreation areas will not be affected by this project.
The project was be paid for by the county forest conservation fund. Developers who are not able to meet all of their forest mitigation requirements pay into the fund so reforestation projects can occur in priority locations, such as stream valleys.
Are you subject to the Forest Conservation Law?
Owners of properties greater than 40,000 square feet who are required to submit a development plan, request a mandatory referral or special exception, or obtain a sediment control permit must comply with Forest Conservation Law provisions. Depending upon the amount of forest proposed to be removed, the property owner may qualify for an exemption from submitting a forest conservation plan.
Check out our new flow charts to find out what whether our conservation provisions apply to you. Answering these sets of questions will help you determine your next steps related to conserving our forests. View our decision tree for applicants of development plans, mandatory referrals, special exceptions, and/or sediment control permits or view our single-lot decision tree.
Anyone with property greater than 40,000 square feet in Montgomery County must complete a natural resource inventory, a complete picture of the natural resources to identify streams, slopes, critical habitat and other features. We also ask for a detailed summary of existing forest and its characteristics. Results of your application will determine whether you need to file a forest conservation plan.
If you qualify for Forest Conservation
If you are required to file a forest conservation plan, you must follow the steps below. Read our checklists to learn what you must include on your plan.
View preliminary forest conservation plan checklist
View the final forest conservation plan checklist
Submission requirements| Application | Fee schedule
Related Documents
Maintenance & Management Agreements
Additional plan elements
- Forest conservation sequence of events
- Inspection requirements
- Forest conservation worksheet
Financial Instruments
- Why we require security bonds for forest conservation
- Performance bond
- Letter of credit
Proposed Forest Conservation Law revisions
To help property owners protect trees and forest when they subdivide or build in Montgomery County, the Montgomery County Planning Board drafted a new Forest Conservation Law to clarify who the law applies to and what’s required if it does. The Planning Board's recommendations went to the Montgomery County Council for consideration and final action.
- View the Planning Board's 2007 draft Forest Conservation Law
- Existing Forest Conservation Law
- 2007 Forest Conservation Law Background and Staff’s 2007 Recommendations
- Forest Conservation Regulations
This document details how to comply with the Forest Conservation Law. Copies of both the law and regulations are available at the Information Counter, 2nd Floor, M-NCPPC, 8787 Georgia Ave. Silver Spring, MD 20910 or Environmental Planning, Room 124. - Forest Conservation Worksheet
Includes formulae for calculating forest conservation acreage requirements.
M-NCPPC Staff Contact:
Mark Pfefferle
Mark.Pfefferle@mncppc-mc.org
301-495-4730
Date of last update: January 6, 2010
Montgomery County Planning Department