[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Committee of the Township of Andover 6-26-2002 by Ord. No. 2002-17. Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
General penalty — See Ch. 1, Art. I.
Site plan review — See Ch. 131.
Subdivision of land — See Ch. 159.
A. 
The Township Committee does hereby decide and find that the woodlands are an important cultural, ecological, scenic, and economic resource. Proper management of this resource will insure its maintenance for all forest benefits, i.e., watershed protection, wildlife habitat, recreational aspects, and aesthetics.
B. 
The woodlands must be preserved, protected, enhanced, and maintained. A forestry program is intended to meet these objectives by providing opportunities for the continuing uses of the Township's forest resources which are compatible with the maintenance of the environment. This can be accomplished by the improvement of the forests through the application of solid management practices.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
FORESTRY
The profession embracing the science, business and art of creating, conserving and managing forests and forest lands for the continuing use of their resources.
TREE
A woody plant that has the potential to reach a height of at least 10 feet, has a single stem, and has a definite crown shape.
Any property owner, or any person or persons, contractor, company or corporation hired, desiring to cut, remove, or harvest any tree for commercial purposes shall apply to the duly appointed officer of the Township of Andover for a permit application and shall include a harvesting plan, which details the harvesting practices proposed to be employed, including, but not limited to the following:
A. 
Location and size of tracts.
B. 
Owner's name and address.
C. 
Map of the property showing wetlands, types of vegetation cover, area to be harvested, receiving waters, location of stream crossings and alternatives, location of skid trails, location of access roads and landing, cutting boundaries, and size of filter or buffer strips.
D. 
Description of area to be harvested, including approximate acreage, general soil types and erodibility, approximate range of percent of slope, timber quality and age (forest type, species, age, DBH, height, volume and reproduction), and understory.
E. 
Description of timber to be harvested (number of trees, species, diameter class and volume).
F. 
Description of timber to be harvested regeneration plans.
G. 
Description of intermediate management practices to be applied during or after harvesting.
H. 
A survey of the property indicating that the trees to be harvested are within the property boundary lines. This survey condition can be waived if the Construction Official is satisfied as to the area in which trees are to be harvested.
The cost of this permit shall be $25.
Excepted from this chapter shall be:
A. 
Any tree located on a parcel of land six acres or less in size on which a residence has been constructed or to be constructed.
B. 
Any tree growing on property actually being used as a nursery, garden center, Christmas tree plantation, or an orchard.
C. 
Any tree to be cut for personal use by the owner.
D. 
Any tree growing on a public right-of-way or access easement, public or private.
E. 
Any dead, diseased, or other tree that is likely to endanger life or property.
F. 
Properties which are being developed under an approved preliminary or final subdivision or has a building permit.
G. 
Properties which are under a forestry program.
H. 
Properties which are undergoing soil and site investigation for development potential or other use potential or installation of septic systems.
I. 
Any trees which are being cut under the supervision of a New Jersey certified forester.
A. 
A stop-work order shall be issued by the designated Township official if noncompliance with the submitted harvesting plan is evident or if there is nonadherence to the standards in § 171-5. The stop-work order will remain in effect until the Township has determined that resuming work will not violate the conditions of the submitted harvesting plan.
B. 
Should a permit not be secured prior to tree cutting or removal, a fine shall be levied against the property owner, contractor, company or corporation in the amount of $50 per tree (over 10 inches in diameter) for the first offense and $100 per tree for any offense thereafter.
All provisions of the aforesaid ordinance not amended herein shall remain in full force and effect.