The Long Bridge Project Emergency Declaration Resolution of 2025 addresses the urgent need to amend the Urban Forest Preservation Act of 2002 to facilitate the removal of a Heritage Tree that is obstructing the Long Bridge Project. This project aims to enhance rail transport capacity and connectivity between the District of Columbia and Virginia by adding a new two-track railroad bridge and a dedicated bicycle and pedestrian bridge. However, the presence of a significant American Elm tree, classified as a Heritage Tree, poses a challenge as current laws restrict its removal unless it is deemed hazardous or of a species suitable for removal. The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) has determined that protecting the tree during construction is not feasible, and relocating it presents logistical and financial hurdles.

To address these challenges, the emergency legislation would allow for the removal of the Heritage Tree under specific conditions, including the inability to protect it in place and the high costs or public inconvenience associated with relocation. The applicant for the removal permit would be required to pay a fee based on the tree's circumference, ensuring that the project can proceed without significant delays or additional costs. The resolution emphasizes the necessity of this amendment to avoid hindering the Long Bridge Project, which is crucial for improving regional rail service and economic growth.