P.R. Laws tit. 12, § 132
The municipal planting professional shall be a person with knowledge and academic training in the management of forest systems, planting, and conservation of trees, who shall also be certified by the Department, pursuant to the provisions of the Puerto Rico Planting, Cutting and Foresting Regulations. Each municipality shall appoint a municipal planting professional no later than July 1, 2000. If there are resources available and within that same period, an Office of the municipal planting professional shall be created. If the municipality does not have the resources, it shall attach the municipal planting professional to the Conservation and Ornate Department or Division or to any department or division that has analogous functions.
The functions and duties of the municipal planting professional shall be the following:
(a) To make an inventory of the public and private lands suitable for the creation, establishment, management, restoration and conservation of urban forests.
(b) Prepare and keep an inventory of the trees existing in said lands.
(c) Develop an Urban Forests Plan for the creation and management of these lands in harmony with the Territorial Regulating Plans of each municipality, in cases where applicable. The municipality shall develop said plan in a term of not more than eighteen (18) months from the effective date of this act. The plan shall include the proposed uses for said land such as: conservation, education, tourism or passive recreation. This plan shall be updated every two (2) years and endorsed by the Department before it becomes effective. As part of the plan, the necessary provisions for the urban forests to maintain their integrity during the effectiveness of the plan shall be included, among others; Provided, however, That each tree that is affected by natural or anthropogenic causes shall be evaluated and treated or replaced, as the case may be. The Department shall provide the technical assistance required by the planting professional and the municipalities free of charge. The Department shall also endorse any amendment made to this plan. The Urban Forests Plan shall be available to the general public upon payment of the corresponding fees.
(d) Administer the Urban Forests Plan for his/her municipality.
(e) Contract, enter into agreements, co-management or administration agreements of the Urban Forests Plan pursuant to the contracting norms established for the municipalities of Puerto Rico.
(f) Inspect and verify compliance with the agreements and comanagement agreements under the Urban Forests Plan.
(g) See to the faithful compliance of the laws and regulations related to urban forests.
History —Aug. 5, 1999, No. 213, § 4.