The Township of Toms River finds that there are increasing incidents within the Township of the indiscriminate cutting and removal of trees. These tree cutting activities have endangered the preservation and maintenance of woodlands and wooded areas and the aesthetic, natural resource and environmental benefits which flow from their conservation and management. The Township Council finds that a continuation of these practices will result in the degradation of the environment of the Township generally, and increased problems of stormwater runoff, particulate air pollution, soil instability and erosion on particular lots upon which unplanned tree removal takes place and upon the lands which adjoin them. It is the intention of this article to protect the property, health and general welfare of the citizens of the Township of Toms River by requiring the careful planning of any tree removal project which falls within its purview while allowing for such tree removal to take place in a managed and technically sound manner and to reduce the number of specimen trees that are to be removed in the development of lands.