This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the "Vegetation
Protection Ordinance of the Town of Riverhead."
The Town Board of the Town of Riverhead finds that trees and
other vegetation perform numerous important and essential functions,
including but not limited to the stabilization and preservation of
soil; maintenance of watershed areas which are essential to the Town's
freshwater supply; absorption of air pollution and production of oxygen;
establishment of natural barriers to noise and habitats for wildlife;
and creation of a desirable aesthetic quality which is a key factor
in the Town's existence as a rural resort community. The Town Board
further finds that the destruction or removal of trees and other vegetation
deprives all sectors of society of these benefits while disrupting
ecological systems of which they are an integral part, and that regulation
of such destruction or removal will protect and preserve property
within the Town and promote the general welfare and health of its
inhabitants.
In this chapter, unless the context requires otherwise, the
following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
PERSON
Shall not include any governmental body or subdivision or
agent thereof.
VEGETATION
Shall include trees, shrubs, bushes, grasses, flowers and
similar plant life.
It shall be unlawful for any person to mar, remove, damage,
deface or destroy any vegetation as defined in this chapter, whether
or not such vegetation is living, under any of the following circumstances:
on any public grounds or public property within the Town without the
express written authorization of the Town Board or its duly designated
agent.
The provisions of this chapter shall apply to all publicly owned
lands within the Town of Riverhead.
Any person who shall violate any of the provisions of this chapter
shall be guilty of a violation, punishable by a fine of not more than
$1,000 or by imprisonment for not more than 15 days, or by both fine
and imprisonment.