At Kingston’s Town Meeting on April 29, voters approved a bylaw protecting trees, and thereby, water quality and many other aspects of a healthy ecosystem. They added a section called “Land Clearing, Grading and Protection of Trees Bylaw” to Kingston’s General Bylaws. It requires a “Site Alteration Special Permit” for clearing of land over 40,000 square feet, with other levels of town review for clearing over 15,000 square feet. The Bylaw cites the purpose to include protecting the health, safety and welfare, protect water quality, prevent erosion, and protect scenic, archeological and historic resources.
Source: May 15 edition of the Community Land and Water Coalition newsletter of southeastern MA.
