5C, Emerald Ash Borer Management Plan Approval

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� EN HILLS MEMORANDUM DATE: June 25, 2012 TO: Honorable Mayor and City Councilmembers Patrick Klaers, City Administrator CC: Terry Maurer, Public Works Director FROM: Michelle Olson, Parks and Recreation Manager � SUBJECT: Emerald Ash Borer Management Plan Approval Back�round At the May 21, 2012 Work Session, the City Council reviewed and commented on the draft Emerald Ash Borer Management Plan (EAB). The purpose of implementing a management plan is to attempt to mitigate the disruption to the City's urban forest caused by the infestation of the EAB. Taking a proactive approach to the potential infestation enables the City to address both public and private impacts in an efficient and effective manner. Council had few changes to the draft management plan. Staff received the following direction from Council on dealing with the threat of EAB and this was incorporated into the attached Emerald Ash Borer Management Plan. 1. The City will remove declining ash trees on public property, even when EAB has not been identified. No significant pruning or methods to save a declining ash tree will be attempted. Council is not interested in removing healthy ash trees at this time. 2. Ash trees removed will be replaced on a case by case scenario, not a one to one basis. 3. Ash trees that become diagnosed with EAB in the public forested areas will not be removed unless they pose a threat to surrounding property. 4. The City has no plans to chemically treat ash trees at this time. 5. The City will allow chemical injections in private trees. However, the City will strongly discourage soil drenching. If EAB is discovered in a resident's tree, the City would mark it for removal and give 30 days. However, if the tree had not declined significantly, the resident may request to be given the opportunity to treat the tree versus removal. The City would require a letter from a certified arborist that the tree is being treated with a chemical injection. 6. The City Council is not interested in requiring tree contractors to apply for a business license with the City. The City does not give out a list of recommended tree contractors. The suggestion from Council was that staff IlMetro-inet.uslardenhillslPR&PW1ParkslMemoslCouncil Memos106252012 EABplan.doc