AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 3 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO AGRICULTURE AND STATE FORESTRY.

The HA 1 amendment that would have expanded the Department's penalty authority to include 'civil penalties in accordance with this chapter, Chapter 26 of this title, Chapter 91 of this title, or any laws enacted for the protection of forest lands' was not carried into the final bill. The final text retains only 'impose fines for violations thereof.'

A new definition of 'forest' was added in Section 1001(c): an area at least 1 acre in size and 120 feet wide that is at least 10% covered by live trees of any size, including land formerly so covered that will be naturally or artificially regenerated.

Three new definitions were added to Section 1032: 'Urban forestry' (planned management of trees, forests, and green spaces within cities, suburbs, and towns), 'Urban forest' (sum of all woody and associated vegetation in and around dense human settlements), and 'Urban Tree Canopy' or 'UTC' (the layer of leaves, branches, and stems covering the ground when viewed from above).

A new subsection (b) was added to Section 1001 granting the Department plenary authority to cooperate with individuals and public agencies, including federal agencies, in programs related to fire/disease/insect damage control, establishing forest growth on denuded lands, aiding private landowners and operators, research and education, and public recreation.

Section 1011 was consolidated into Section 1001(a) as part of a reorganization. The old Section 1011 now contains only a note that its content was moved to Section 1001(a).

Throughout Section 1032, drafting language was updated to conform with the Delaware Legislative Drafting Manual: 'is' replaced with 'means,' 'shall mean' replaced with 'means,' and 'are' replaced with 'means.'