The proposed resolution, known as 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 this issue, 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 associated with relocation. The applicant for the removal permit would need to demonstrate that relocation would either exceed $1 million in costs or impose unreasonable public burdens, such as road closures. Additionally, the applicant would be required to pay a fee based on the tree's circumference. This resolution is deemed necessary to prevent significant delays and additional costs to the Long Bridge Project, ensuring its timely progression. The resolution is set to take effect immediately upon adoption.