(a) (1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated. (2) "Heat island effect" means the phenomenon that occurs when buildings, roads, and other infrastructure absorb and re-emit heat from the sun, causing urban areas to experience higher temperatures than surrounding areas. (3) "Purple Line" means the light rail transit line between Bethesda in Montgomery County and New Carrollton in Prince George's County. (4) "Transportation facility" has the meaning stated in § 3-101 of this article. (b) (1) The Department shall develop an urban tree program to replace trees that are removed during construction of a transportation facility project, including the area impacted by the Purple Line project. (2) In developing the urban tree program, the Department shall consult with: (i) The Department of the Environment and the Department of Natural Resources Forest Service; (ii) Representatives of businesses that are located in communities where trees are removed as part of a transportation facility project; (iii) Representatives of communities where trees are removed as part of a transportation facility project; (iv) County and municipal governments for the communities in which trees are removed as part of a transportation facility project; and (v) Residents of communities where trees are removed as part of a transportation facility project. (c) (1) The urban tree program shall: (i) Provide for the replacement of trees in communities where trees are removed as part of construction of a transportation facility project; and (ii) Prioritize the initial replacement of trees in communities that are affected by: 1. Environmental justice issues; or 2. The heat island effect. (2) Trees may be replaced on State, county, municipal, or private property. (d) The Department, in collaboration with the Department of the Environment, the Department of Natural Resources, and any other State agency that the Department determines is necessary to collaborate with, shall identify sources of funding available for the replacement of trees in accordance with this section. (e) Nothing in this section may be construed to abrogate or limit the applicability of any requirements or other provisions in the Natural Resources Article that apply to the replacement of trees that are removed during the construction of a transportation facility project.
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