875 new trees to be planted, €343,000 towards ERA’s Environment Fund

The Environment and Resources Authority (ERA) has issued permits for works to be carried out on trees in Vjal Santa Luċija, Paola, and Triq Buqana in Rabat.

Whereas trees that are not protected will be moved in order to make way for better infrastructure in the mentioned areas, 875 new trees will be replanted and €343,000 will be contributed to the ERA’s Environment Fund for the planting of more trees as compensation for the uprooted trees, the ERA has said in a statement.

This permit was issued to cover interventions on trees located at a segment of the road.The permit was issued on the 2 July 2019 and covers the uprooting of nine nettle trees (Celtis australis), eight Italian cypresses (Cupressus sem- pervirens), two almond trees (Prunus dulcis) and the uprooting and transplanting of five Judas trees (Cercis siliquatrum), three carob trees (Ceratonia siliqua), and one ficus tree, also known as Indian laurel (Ficus microphylla).

In addition, the permit includes a ‘no-objection’ to the uprooting of other trees that are not protected under S.L. 549.123 (Trees and Woodlands Protection Regulations).

The permit requires that 150 trees are planted as compensation in accordance to the compensatory planting plan, together with a contribution of €60,000 to the Environment Fund of the ERA for the planting of more trees. These compensatory trees are to be planted within the first planting season. Evidence of compensatory planting must be submitted to the ERA within a month of planting. Such trees shall be maintained by the permit holder for a period of three years from planting.

The Guidelines on Works Involving Trees provide that applications that involve more than 100 trees may contribute their compensatory planting of trees in monetary form, physical form or a combination thereof. In this instance, the applicant chose a combination of physical and monetary contribution.

In addition, the permit is subject to a bank guarantee of €42,000 for compliance with conditions.

This permit was issued to cover interventions on trees, issued on 7 January 2019. The permit covers the transplanting of five Mediterranean dwarf fan palms (Chamaerops humilis), the heavy pruning and transplant- ing of one ficus tree (Ficus mi- crocarpa), six bay laurels (Lauris nobilis), one white mulberry tree (Morus alba), eight myrtles (Myrtus communis), 16 olive trees (Olea europaea) and nine African tamarisks (Tamarix africana).

Additionally, the permit covers the uprooting of 39 Italian cypress trees (Cupressus sempervirens), 11 Aleppo pines (Pinus halepensis) and 29 sandarac gum trees (Tetraclinis articulata).

The permit includes a ‘no-objection’ to the uprooting of other trees that are not protected under S.L. 549.123. The permitted transplanting is to occur within sites as per approved documents of the permit and maintained by the permit holder for a period of three years.

Seven hundred and twenty-five trees are to be planted as compensation in accordance to the approved compensatory planting plan. The permit is also subject to the contribution of €283,000 to the Environment Fund of the ERA as compensation in line with the Guidelines on Works Involving Trees for the planting of more trees.

In addition, the permit is subject to a bank guarantee of €204,750 to ascertain compliance with conditions.