§ 282-2. Purposes.

The purpose of this chapter is to provide for the protection, preservation and conservation of the Township's woodland systems, natural corridors, heritage trees and protected trees by providing a planting and reforestation and woodland acquisition program, and by managing and protecting the following environmental qualities:

A. 

Ecological. Provide for the protection, preservation, replacement, and proper maintenance and use of woodland systems in order to maintain ongoing natural processes such as water cycling, nutrient cycling, and photosynthesis/transpiration; to minimize disturbance and structural changes to vegetative cover; and to minimize damage from erosion, siltation, windthrow and disease.

B. 

Forestry. Prohibit the unregulated cutting of trees or harvesting of forest products within a woodland; to establish a permit process which will regulate the cutting of trees and harvesting of forest products; and to prescribe the review process for the issuance of tree cutting and harvesting permits.

C. 

Aesthetic character. Protect the Township's woodland systems and trees in order to maintain and improve their current and future visual character, not only for residential areas and homesites, but also as natural settings for development in all zoning districts.

D. 

Conservation. Protect the reproductive and regenerative capabilities of all woodland systems to maintain plant and tree diversity; protect groundwater recharge areas; maintain visual screening, windbreak, dust collection and noise barrier characteristics exhibited by woodland systems.

E. 

Wildlife habitats. Protect the existing woodland systems in the Township in order to limit the loss of existing wildlife habitat, to maximize the quality and quantity of woodland corridors available across the Township, and to encourage habitats suitable for wildlife communities.

F. 

Recreational use. Protect the natural environment of wooded areas in order to provide recreational trail systems linked throughout the Township for pedestrian hiking and other passive uses.

G. 

Rare species habitats. Protect individual trees which are known to be rare within the southeastern area of the State of Michigan, or have reached a certain age of maturity to be considered a landmark specimen or which are known to represent historical value to the community.