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AGENDA ITEM MEMORANDUM DATE: November 12, 2013 TO: Honorable Mayor and City Councilmembers Patrick Klaers, City Administrator FROM: Michelle Olson, Parks and Recreation Manager SUBJECT: Emerald Ash Borer Update Action Requested Staff provided the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) update in order for Council to be apprised of the current situation and have a chance to reevaluate the current approved Management Plan. Background Emerald Ash Borer (EAB), an invasive beetle that kills ash trees, was discovered in St. Paul in the spring of 2009, Shoreview in the summer of 2011 and Roseville and Arden Hills (Northwestern College) in 2013. Previous infestations of EAB have shown that the beetles will move out at a rate of one to two miles per year. At that rate, the entire county will be infested in approximately 10 to 15 years. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources completed a forest is compiled of ash trees. The City of Arden Hills approved an Emerald Ash Borer Management Plan in July, 2012 (Attachment B). The purpose of implementing a management infestation of the EAB. The City researched surrounding organizations when preparing the management plan in 2012. Attached is a summary of what other organizations are currently doing regarding EAB (Attachment C). plan was approved, staff has worked closely with the Department of Agriculture on inspections in Arden Hills. This past April, inspections took place in the Glenpaul/Katie Lane neighborhood and the Glenhill/Ridgewood neighborhood. These inspection areas were chosen due to the proximity to the positive EAB finds in Roseville, just across County Road D. After inspections were complete, three EAB suspect trees and one positive (Northwestern College) tree were found (Attachment D). Based on the findings during these inspections, the Department of Agriculture suspects that there will likely be positive finds in Arden Hills in the spring of 2014. Staff keeps up to date on the EAB situation through the 14 Page of