This chapter is adopted for the following purposes:

A. To promote the public health, safety, and general welfare of Bainbridge Island citizens without preventing the reasonable use of private property.

B. To preserve and enhance the city’s physical and aesthetic character, to promote the healthy functioning of our island’s natural systems, and to provide economic benefits to the community, for the sake of present and future generations.

C. To implement the purposes of the State Growth Management Act relating to conservation of natural resources, pursuant to Chapter 36.70A RCW.

D. To implement goals and policies in the current comprehensive plan, the Community Forest Management Plan (2006), the Bainbridge Island Open Space Study (October 2008), and the Bainbridge Island Community Wildfire Protection Plan (2010), or subsequent updated versions.

E. To promote forest stewardship practices and carefully planned development that results in minimal disturbance to the prior conditions of a property and neighboring properties.

F. To implement a long-range policy of maintaining the island’s forest canopy cover while taking measures to prevent wildfires and protect structures in accordance with recommendations of the Bainbridge Island fire department.

G. To allow limited tree and vegetation removal to provide for solar access, agriculture and gardens.

H. To promote infiltration of stormwater and aquifer recharge; to minimize erosion and prevent pollution; to prevent landslides; to protect the waters of Puget Sound and the quality and quantity of water in wells.

I. To maintain in a healthy state significant trees, clusters of trees, and forested areas, allowing for thinning, pruning, removal of invasive and undesirable vegetation, selective harvest and replanting, developing and maintaining trails, and removal of dead or dangerous trees. (Ord. 2021-07 § 2 (Exh. A), 2021; Ord. 2018-19 § 1 (Exh. A), 2018)