New York Laws
Title 3 - Urban Forestry Programs
53-0303 - Definitions.


As used in this title:

1. "Urban forestry" means the planning, establishment, protection and
other management of trees and other vegetation in urban areas for
present and potential contribution to the physiological, sociological,
and economic well-being of urban society. An important component of
urban forestry is "arboriculture" which more specifically includes the
planting, growing, maintenance and protection of trees and shrubs,
individually and in small groups.

2. "Urban forestry plan" means a comprehensive plan for the selection,
establishment, maintenance and management of existing and future trees
and associated vegetation in an urban area, which plan shall, to the
maximum extent possible, present an analysis of physical, biotic, and
social conditions of present and potential sites for vegetation, and of
improvement needs, opportunities and planned projects within an urban
area.

3. "Urban areas" means cities, villages or towns with a population
density of greater than one thousand persons per square mile.

4. "Contributed funds" means money donated by residents of an urban
area and others to an urban area for urban forestry or arboriculture
within that urban area.

5. "Public funds" means money appropriated by a non-federal government
entity for urban forestry or arboriculture within that urban area.

6. "Vacant public land" means any land owned by a state agency, public
authority, public benefit corporation or municipal corporation that is
not used, is unoccupied or idle; including rights-of-ways but excluding
land subject to use restrictions under law.

7. "Municipal forester" means a municipal official appointed by the
chief executive officer of a municipal corporation to act as a liaison
with the department and the public for the purposes set forth in this
article.