(a) To facilitate the implementation of this chapter, there is established within the Department of Agriculture the position of Urban Forester, one for the district of St. Croix and one for the district of St. Thomas and St. John. The Urban Forester shall work for and answer directly to the Territorial Forester or the Commissioner of Agriculture. The Urban Foresters must have a Master’s degree from an accredited university or a Bachelor of Science degree and approximately five years of experience in the field of forestry, urban forestry, natural resources management, planning or other related field.
(b) The Urban Forester shall:(1) advise and assist the Territorial Forester in all matters related to urban forestry in the Virgin Islands;(2) manage the urban forests of the Virgin Islands;(3) serve on the Tree Board;(4) earn and maintain active and valid certification as an arborist by the International Society of Arboriculture or other certifying agencies;(5) supervise or coordinate with the Departments of Agriculture, Public Works, Planning and Natural Resources, the Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority, Waste Management Authority and any other governmental entity to evaluate, assess, maintain, remove or plant trees on public property;(6) grant or deny permit applications to prune, remove or plant public trees;(7) ensure that roadside and other public trees are not pruned, removed or planted without the permits as required by this chapter; and(8) ensure that a certified arborist is present at a permitted tree pruning, removal or planting and supervises and inspects the work.
(1) advise and assist the Territorial Forester in all matters related to urban forestry in the Virgin Islands;
(2) manage the urban forests of the Virgin Islands;
(3) serve on the Tree Board;
(4) earn and maintain active and valid certification as an arborist by the International Society of Arboriculture or other certifying agencies;
(5) supervise or coordinate with the Departments of Agriculture, Public Works, Planning and Natural Resources, the Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority, Waste Management Authority and any other governmental entity to evaluate, assess, maintain, remove or plant trees on public property;
(6) grant or deny permit applications to prune, remove or plant public trees;
(7) ensure that roadside and other public trees are not pruned, removed or planted without the permits as required by this chapter; and
(8) ensure that a certified arborist is present at a permitted tree pruning, removal or planting and supervises and inspects the work.