Committee moves $1 million into parks fund for urban forestry preservation

The Parks and Recreation Committee on Wednesday approved Proposal 368 to transfer $1,000,000 from the Department of Public Works stormwater management fund to the Parks general fund to support urban forestry preservation.

Committee members who championed the measure said the intent is to isolate funds intended for tree and land acquisition and keep them separate from stormwater projects. Councilor Bridal Delaney told the committee she used the allocation last year to purchase Haverstick Creek Woods and asked for clarification on whether the money had been tied to stormwater while it sat in the stormwater fund.

Controller Abby Hanson explained the funds originally came from state income tax revenue, were transferred into the stormwater fund and have not been spent. Moving the money into Parks removes the stormwater restriction and places it in an unrestricted parks account while the department intends to use the funds for trees and land acquisition. Hanson said stormwater funds must generally be spent on stormwater projects and acknowledged that placing the funds in the stormwater fund was likely not the best location from an accounting standpoint.

Hanson and committee discussion also noted the capital plan includes at least $2,000,000 set aside for urban forest preservation tied to stormwater mitigation, and that the Department of Public Works has allocated $1,000,000 starting in 2025 and continuing into 2026 (subject to annual budget submissions by DPW). Councilors Evans and Delaney were recorded as asking to be added as cosponsors. The motion was moved, seconded and passed by voice vote.