Tree and Vegetation Management Plans

We have the opportunity to improve how we protect and replace trees before, during, and after light rail construction. The City of Seattle and Sound Transit have a shared goal to develop Tree and Vegetation Management Plans (TVMPs) for the West Seattle and Ballard Link Extensions prior to issuing permits for construction.

Project-level tree management plans provide information about affected trees and a documented strategy for tree replacement at a project-level. The West Seattle Link Extension alone is expected to require up to 270 individual permits. We need to address tree protection and replacement more holistically across the entire project, versus permit by permit.

Sound Transit’s TVMPs will balance the need to responsibly manage the city’s tree canopy while allowing for tree replacement as part of the construction of light rail facilities. A TVMP will:

• provide an inventory of trees 
•  account for trees across different property types 
• provide consolidated information about tree management for the public
• detail how Sound Transit is minimizing impacts to trees
• show how replacement trees will be incorporated into the project construction, and
• streamline permitting

A TVMP provides a holistic strategy for tree and vegetation management before, during and after construction of light rail.  It defines expectations for tree protection and replacement and allows trees to be replanted over a larger area. It enables people to provide input on tree management before permitting begins.  A TVMP will streamline the permitting process by detailing clear requirements to be applied by Sound Transit, Sound Transit consultants and City of Seattle staff. 

The plans will focus on trees impacted and replaced by Sound Transit within the project footprint. The plan(s) will include:

1. A preliminary inventory and map of trees to be protected and replaced 
2. Documentation of proposed protection methods for trees retained  
3. List of best management practices to be used during construction
4. Description of the proposed tree mitigation
5. Site restoration requirements
6. Tree and vegetation management practices post-construction
7. A strategy for tree replacement that cannot fit in the project footprint 

Trees that cannot be replaced by Sound Transit in the project footprint will be replaced in coordination with City of Seattle. There is an opportunity to create a more equitable tree canopy by planting trees in neighborhoods or public spaces with less existing tree canopy, consistent with the One Seattle Tree Plan. 

The plan's requirements will align with current policies related to trees to:

• Restore ecological function in environmentally-sensitive locations
• Replace lost tree canopy and create new tree canopy
• Replace trees lost from City property with a minimum of 3:1
• Locate trees in high-opportunity areas, such as along public streets, within parks 

One of the most recent local examples of a TVMP was part of the Washington State Department of Transportation’s SR 520 Portage Bay Bridge and Roanoke Lid Project. In addition, Seattle Parks and Recreation has Vegetation Management Plans for many city parks. 

The City Council will consider a light rail code amendment package in early 2025. The code amendment package will include the requirements for the TVMP. The draft TVMP for the West Seattle Link Extension is scheduled to be ready for review in the first quarter of 2025. Sound Transit will share the plan for comments in advance of the City reviewing and approving the plan. Once the plan has been approved, the Sound Transit and City staff will apply the details of the plan to the 270 permits for West Seattle Link.  

If you have questions or comments about the TVMP, please email the City’s Sound Transit Program Team at lightrail@seattle.gov.

To be notified when the draft plan is available, please subscribe to our emails. Select "Light Rail Expansion" under the Transit & Freight section.