Intent and Objectives: Review of the Guidelines on Works involving Trees

CONSULTATION BRIEF

 Start date: 17 October 2022

Closing date: 14 November 2022

Title of the public consultation: Intent and Objectives: Review of the Guidelines on Works involving Trees

Ministry: Ministry for the Environment, Energy and Enterprise

Entity: Environment and Resources Authority

1. Background

The Guidelines on Works involving Trees were issued in 2019 with the intent on providing clear details on best practices for various interventions on trees, primarily, pruning, transplanting and compensatory planting. The Guidelines represent a comprehensive document with information to prospective applicants, architects, consultants and the wider public on a number of items related to trees including:

  1. Which trees are protected and under what circumstances is a permit needed;
  2. How to apply for a permit;
  3. How to carry out sensitive pruning works;
  4. How to carry out sensitive transplanting;
  5. Principles of compensatory planting, as an update to the Guidelines on Trees, Shrubs and Plants on Planting and Landscaping in the Maltese Islands (EMU 2002);
  6. How to avoid damage to trees due to construction; and
  7. Becoming a Licensed Tree Specialist.

2. Consultation

Intent and Objectives

ERA is proposing to review various sections of the Guidelines on Works involving Trees. Amendments to the following sections of the Guidelines are being proposed:

  1. How to apply for a permit;
  2. Good practices in pruning, transplanting;
  3. Compensation to include further scenarios and ratios; and
  4. Any other sections requiring update.Consultation Questions

The Authority wishes to receive feedback on the above intent and objectives, as well as any other related issues linked with these aspects you feel as duly relevant or of attention.

3. Submission of feedback

Comments will be received by email on [email protected] by 14 November 2022.

4. Further notes:

Please be informed that comments submitted, together with the identity of the contributor, may be published online at the end of the public consultation, unless the contributor objects to the publication of his/her personal data. In this case, the contribution may be published in anonymous form.

All comments submitted shall be duly considered.

The draft amendments to the guidelines will be available for public consultation in due course at the following web link:

https://era.org.mt/consultation-on-legislation-and-policy