As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
BUFFER ZONE
That area of land surrounding the immediate perimeter of
a logging operation in which no cutting of trees or other vegetation
shall occur except for the isolated cutting of individual trees which
are dead, damaged, sick, infected or constitute a danger to neighboring
properties or the public generally.
CLEAR-CUTTING
A logging method that removes all trees from a tract of land
or portion thereof.
FARMING OPERATIONS
A person engaged in raising crops, not including trees as
defined in this chapter, in dairy farming, the production of poultry
or livestock, the production of poultry or livestock products, or
the principal part of whose income is derived from any one or more
of the foregoing operations.
FORESTER
A person with a degree in forestry from a college or university
accredited by the Society of American Foresters who has experience
in wood lot management.
LOGGING
The act of cutting live trees for cordwood, timber, pulp
or for any commercial purpose.
LOGGING OPERATIONS
The act of cutting live trees pursuant to a logging permit
issued under the authority of this chapter.
PERMIT
Any permit to remove trees or to conduct logging operations
as defined and authorized in this chapter.
PERSON
Any individual, partnership, corporation, association or
other legal entity, including the plural as well as the singular,
and including all tree removal companies and persons removing trees
on behalf of others.
SELECTION METHOD
A method of selectively removing trees from a wooded area
either singly or in small groups according to age and size with provision
being made for natural or artificial vegetation.
SLASH
All debris resulting from logging operations, including stems,
limbs, and parts thereof.
TOPS
That part of a felled tree which is left above the part of
the tree to be utilized by the logger.
TREE
Any self supporting woody plant of a species, which normally
in the area grows at maturity to an overall height of a minimum of
15 feet.
Any person desiring to remove no more 20 trees per acre, six inches or more in diameter on land comprised of three acres or less and not otherwise covered in §
185-3A or
B, shall first obtain a tree removal permit. Tree removal may only be done in accordance with a forest management plan prepared by a forester, and an erosion and sedimentation control plan designed to prevent erosion and sedimentation during and after the logging operations approved by the Soil Conservation Service of Allegheny County. Copies of all such plans shall be filed with the Zoning Officer. This permit may be issued by the Zoning Officer without the necessity of obtaining a special exception.
Logging shall be permitted as a special exception in all zoning districts in the Township in accordance with the provisions of Chapter
300, Zoning, of the Code of North Versailles Township, relating to the granting of special exceptions.
A permit fee must accompany each application for a permit in
an amount to be determined by the Board of Commissioners from time
to time by simple resolution. The fee shall be in such amount to cover
the cost and fees charged by Township personnel in carrying out the
intent of this chapter, including all engineering fees for inspection,
prosecution (if necessary) and supervision. A permittee shall continue
to be liable for all fees and expenses incurred by the Township at
its customary rates in enforcing this chapter. Initially, each permittee
must pay a permit fee of $1,000 with the submission of his application.
Any person found to be in violation of any provision of this
chapter shall be subject to a civil penalty in the amount of $1,000
for each violation. Every day shall be deemed to be a separate violation.
In addition, any person found to be in violation of this chapter shall
be liable to the Township for all Township expenses and legal fees
in connection with such prosecution.