[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6660011,"mediaKeyId","2438234-6ab6ea4f43b9195b43d0a70d5cf8c379","parentId",2438234,"title","Providence presenters outline tree equity plan; committee asks for council endorsement","audioSeconds",3602,"startMs",676000,"endMs",4278000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2438234-6ab6ea4f43b9195b43d0a70d5cf8c379&start=676&end=4278","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2438234-6ab6ea4f43b9195b43d0a70d5cf8c379/thumbnail_676000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6660011/Providence-City/Providence-County/Rhode-Island/Providence-presenters-outline-tree-equity-plan-committee-asks-for-council-endorsement","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6660011-b746a6bb26ba1e55f1c5474444e996b7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771188454&Signature=MJhAX037PUGbAJmuuOkZEuEn0lCs-Q6f78j3587hcA-1ROSe3A~K9fSnK63~36Hof7lL40-Tax6xXo631AZ1fO5YZTFiJak1W-X8D2zUllfYLJJknhNY56pKQG7Z9bHbQvoFiv2w5wr~3X0fH6z8-FPLPorSviydoeeKZrKoKrUHaVqNtRq08HbB0lngWJaExniAe~sM4n1j2P4VB22oHE0-r2o4TW726JAKtAFJeBzTscLEHFOjyymoW33V6P5CT2RLuFyj44cyq9vubwQ0qmwc6ek2b1NsrCDT2Q0vTxDiPIYrOAG~Tefs-c~6ysaDJQNe~I~4EmP6gVKg03drXQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Providence City Council","date","2025-02-28T00:20:47.067Z","article","Presenters and community partners on Feb. 27 shared Providence's urban-forest plan with a city committee, outlining the plan's goals, community survey results and initial implementation steps.

The plan's proponents said the tree plan aims to correct historic inequities in tree canopy, support maintenance and workforce development, and prioritize plantings in \"tree equity focus areas.\" Cassie Tharinger, introduced as executive director of the Providence neighborhood planting program (PNPP), and Toni Gudet Irvin, described as a Providence resident and professional arborist, joined other presenters to describe the plan and the partners involved.

Why it matters: Presenters said uneven tree distribution correlates with historic disinvestment and heat-vulnerability, and that expanding and caring for the urban forest delivers health, stormwater and cooling benefits. The group emphasized that planting alone is not sufficient: trees require ongoing maintenance and neighborhood support to deliver long-term benefits.

Key findings and targets cited by presenters included: 848 responses to a community survey, with 59% of respondents from high-priority (low-canopy, high-heat) neighborhoods and 20% of responses in Spanish; 1.5% of respondents said their neighborhoods had enough trees; more than 98% supported increased investment in Providence's trees. The presenters said the plan includes a citywide vision and a goal of planting roughly 30,000 additional trees over the next decade focused in equity areas while maintaining canopy in other parts of the city.

Current activity and capacity: Presenters said the city and PNPP partnership currently plants about 700 trees per year on average. The city's last comprehensive street-tree inventory (2017) listed about 27,000 street trees; presenters said the municipal tree population is a small portion of an estimated 400,000 total trees across the city. Presenters also described coordination with the mayor's office, the Department of Inspections and Standards (DIS), community organizations such as Groundwork, and the city forestry division.

Funding and pilots: Presenters said they recently secured a grant from the Department of Environmental Management described in the presentation as a \"G equity grant\" to support plantings on neighborhood sites and schools; details and formal grant name were not specified on the record. They described pilot efforts including sidewalk-tree conflict solutions, depaving opportunities, community orchards and a workforce model that trains residents to care for young trees and storm drains.

Public comment and concerns: Members of the public praised the plan and urged focused plantings in neighborhoods that lack shade. Some speakers raised questions about litter enforcement and whether waste-hauler contracts contribute to litter; others urged citywide leaf-collection and composting systems and asked about agroforestry and food-bearing tree projects. Greg Barrett said he supported the project but warned that raising fines for litter without robust enforcement could be inequitable; another commenter, Andrea, asked specifically whether the plan targets areas that have been stripped of trees.

Committee response and next steps: Committee members expressed support and asked presenters to draft a resolution or recommendation that the council could endorse. The presenters agreed to provide materials and the committee voted to accept the presentation and requested the draft resolution be sent to the full City Council for consideration.

Ending: Presenters urged a multi-year implementation approach that pairs planting with maintenance, community leadership, workforce development and coordinated city policy changes. Committee members said they would work with presenters on a recommended resolution and consider budget and ordinance changes in upcoming council business.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Providence Special Committee on Environment & Resiliency-Thursday, February 27, 2025-5:30 PM","oneSentenceSummary","Presenters detailed the Providence tree plan, highlighting survey results that showed nearly universal public support for more trees, inequitable canopy distribution, and a goal to add roughly 30,000 trees over the next decade; the committee asked presenters to provide a draft resolution for council consideration.","taxTitle","Providence City, Providence County, Rhode Island","taxId",3637,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6660015,"Committee backs higher fines for littering, adds watershed penalty",286,310000,596000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2438234-6ab6ea4f43b9195b43d0a70d5cf8c379&start=310&end=596","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2438234-6ab6ea4f43b9195b43d0a70d5cf8c379/thumbnail_310000.jpg","/articles/6660015/Providence-City/Providence-County/Rhode-Island/Committee-backs-higher-fines-for-littering-adds-watershed-penalty","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6660015-d5eaf5c7fdc7ad6be4a78adad3225efb/orig.mp4?Expires=1771188454&Signature=VOhG5lv4SMYGVY1cdqSx5D8mOnAN1N3ZCRUBlOIeylEmSdOJUv9xiI8rxAsjhoLszBEOb4dVGS2-OgcWu7BSdz-QPDCzHg5R3MWQZw3YjFsaE0q1zXNLHEntFM3V5vzMUx-tMKCSnQ42GKpVNjdNG-wBVP~VOTM9IZD9Hwau3CYwuQwx-fNFawNboDis5ABn0jD54IJadcsyIYmMrZfCF5VvPvlHr0qTtPLlN6~Ue1QG~m-v8Ie0MkZUN0cJlmhWm6D3ghzYq1DWfH7-13qImNCXrZNwgfPO8ttk3pIxjTuvng22u-57Ik7VSFkeSff6h2IcyT4yy5CkYL9Uc-SgIw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A Providence special community committee voted to advance an ordinance on Feb. 27 that raises the city's base fine for littering from $50 to $100 and creates a new $250 fine for littering in watershed areas.

The ordinance amends chapter 12 (Health and Sanitation), article 3 (Garbage, Trash and Refuse) of the Providence Code of Ordinances, changing definitions and the penalties section to reflect the higher fines. Councilwoman Ryan, who presented the change, said the intent is deterrence and to address environmental harms in sensitive watershed locations.

Why it matters: Committee members said stronger penalties could discourage throwing trash from vehicles and reduce pollution in waterways. Councilwoman Ryan said the higher fines were proposed after consultation with the council policy office and noted that watershed litter poses distinct environmental risks.

During discussion, Councilwoman Ryan acknowledged the city does not issue many litter tickets now but said the fines are intended to be a deterrent. She told the committee: \"I drive down past the waterway every day and it amazes me how many people just throws cups and things out the window.\" She also said she would check who is authorized to issue tickets but expected both police and environmental staff could do so.

Committee action and next steps: Councilman Anthony Sanchez moved to approve the ordinance in committee; a second was recorded but not named in the transcript. Committee members voted in favor and the item was advanced for consideration by the full City Council next week.

What the ordinance changes (as presented): it increases the existing fine from $50 to $100 and establishes a new $250 fine for littering within watershed areas. Presenters said the change does not create a large source of city revenue but is meant to change behavior and protect environmental areas.

Public process and timeline: Committee members said, if approved by the full council, the ordinance would appear on the council agenda the following Thursday. Committee members also indicated staff would confirm which city employees are authorized to issue citations.

Ending: Committee members expressed support for the concept while some attendees at later public comment suggested that enforcement and equitable application of fines should be considered alongside changes to penalties. The ordinance will move to the full council for final action.","A Providence committee voted to advance an ordinance that would raise the city's general littering fine from $50 to $100 and create a $250 fine for littering in watershed areas; the item will go to full council next week.","actionData","errors"]

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Providence presenters outline tree equity plan; committee asks for council endorsement

Committee backs higher fines for littering, adds watershed penalty