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Emerald Ash Borer Management Plan – City of Arden Hills Page 2 Adopted by the City Council on July 30, 2012 not known, though it is worth noting that the trees are only a half mile from interstate highway 35W and in other states the principal spread of EAB has been along travel corridors. Analysis of the infestation showed that the EAB had been present for 3-4 years, which is consistent with the insect’s path of destruction. Symptoms are slow to appear and once EAB is actually found, it is estimated that it has already been present for 3-5 years. It is difficult to determine when EAB will reach Arden Hills. It is estimated that as much as 12.3% of Arden Hills’ urban forest is compiled of ash trees based on a Minnesota Department of Natural Resources survey (Minnesota Department of Natural Resources 2010 Community Tree Survey. Survey of front yard and street trees in residential and commercial sampling areas) To date, North American communities have not been successful in eradicating EAB once found. EAB typically builds in population and eventually infests and kills all variety of ash trees. Resident Education Resident education and communication are key components of managing the impact of the EAB, especially as more information becomes available. Public information is available to residents through the City’s website, newsletters, and available at City Hall. Homeowners may treat their private trees, provided they use a licensed treatment contractor who adheres to the City’s standards to protect surface and ground water. Mitigation Although it is not possible to stop the spread of invasive species, like the Emerald Ash Borer, the City of Arden Hills’ EAB Management Plan is designed to help manage the impacts. The City’s mitigation of EAB will be similar to the policy and intent of Dutch Elm and Oak Wilt Disease, which attempts to control and prevent the spread of these diseases. The City of Arden Hills has done the following to prepare for the EAB problem: • Completed an electronic inventory with the software, “Simple Trees” of all trees in the ROW along City streets, parks and trails. This will help the City monitor the condition of ash trees throughout the City. • Clarified owner responsibilities for all Right of Way trees abutting a City road. These changes were done with the amendment of Chapter 3 of the City Code in October of 2011. • Updated the City’s Tree and Vegetation Ordinance, Chapter 7 to add ash trees to the diseased trees that must be removed to prevent the spread of the disease. This ordinance permits the City to enter private property for inspection, order the removal of diseased trees and abate the nuisance upon non-compliance of property owners.