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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2B, EAB Draft Implementation Plan 'It EN HILLS Request for Council Action 2B Prepared By: Work Session Date: Monday, May 21, 2012 Michelle Olson, Parks and Recreation Manager Emerald Ash Borer Management Plan Discussion Budgeted Amount: Actual Amount: Funding Source: N/A N/A N/A Discussion Topic: Staff provided the draft EAB Management Plan for Council review and discussion. Staff plans on editing the draft plan based on discussion and bringing it back to a regular meeting in the near future for approval. Supporting Documents: 1. Memorandum from Michelle Olson,Parks and Recreation Manager 2. Attachment A: Minnesota DNR Community Tree Survey(2010) 3. Attachment B: Draft Emerald Ash Borer Management Plan 4. Attachment C: Copy of current City business license lt EN HILLS MEMORANDUM DATE: May 21, 2012 TO: Honorable Mayor and City Councilmembers Patrick Klaers, City Administrator CC: Terry Maurer, Public Works Director FROM: Michelle Olson, Parks and Recreation Manager -MO SUBJECT: Emerald Ash Borer Management Plan Discussion Background Emerald Ash Borer (EAB), an invasive beetle that kills ash trees, was discovered in St. Paul in the spring of 2009 and Shoreview in the summer of 2011. 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 City of Arden Hills has begun the process to establish an Emerald Ash Borer Management Plan. Two steps that the City needed to complete before a management plan could be established were revisions to the right of way ordinance and a tree inventory. The right of way ordinance revisions were completed in November of 2011 and the tree inventory was substantially completed in summer of 2011. The "Simple Tree" software is in final testing and will be complete by the end of June. The parks and trails tree inventory needs to be completed this summer. The City staff has completed an inventory of all ash trees in the maintained areas of our parks. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources completed a tree survey in 2010 (Attachment A). It is estimated that as much as 12.3% of Arden Hills' urban forest is compiled of ash trees. Discussion 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. A draft EAB Management Plan is included for Council review (Attachment B). Staff researched the management plans established by the surrounding Cities. Below are several elements regarding the draft plan that staff would like Council input on: IlMetro-inet.uslardenhillslPR&PWIParkslMemosICouncil MemosW5212012 EABplan.doc 2 1. Does the City Council want to remove a percentage of public ash trees each year for the next few years to spread out the removal and replacement costs? Staff has placed funding for tree removal/replacement in the capital improvement plan for 2013, and continues that into 2016. A spreadsheet listing existing ash trees within the maintained area of our parks and their removal costs is included below. Park Total # of trees: Estimated # of trees: Estimated Total ash 10" DBH Removal 11" DBH Removal Estimate trees or less Cost or more Cost for removal Arden Manor 2 2 $104 0 0 $104 Arden Oaks 2 2 $169 0 0 $169 Cummings 3 0 0 3 $520 $520 Floral 6 3 $182 3 $468 $650 Freeway 2 2 $208 0 0 $208 Hazelnut 3 1 $130 2 $429 $559 Ingerson 13 1 $130 12 $3,120 $3,250 Johanna Marsh 1 1 $130 0 0 $130 Lindey's 4 2 $208 2 $312 $520 Perry 21 12 $1,352 9 $1,599 $2,951 Royal Hills 12 1 $78 11 $2,054 $2,132 Sampson 1 0 0 1 $182 $182 Valentine 10 1 $117 19 , J $1,885 J $2,002. TOTALS 80 28 2,808 152 $10,569 1 $13,377 2. If the City does want to begin removing ash trees before EAB is discovered in Arden Hills, does the Council want healthy trees removed or only ash trees in declining health? The draft management plan indicates that trees of declining health will not be saved. However, it does not mention that the City will remove healthy ash trees. 3. Does the City want all removed public ash trees replaced? The plan states that replacement of ash trees will be considered on a case to case basis. 4. With Oak Wilt and Dutch Elm Diseases, the City has historically left trees within the forested areas to die naturally. Removals have only been scheduled if the tree is located near a residential area. Staff is proposing to do the same with ash trees. Removing ash trees within the forested area would be a significant financial impact. Ramsey County and other surrounding Cities have adopted similar provisions. 5. Staff does not recommend that the City chemically treat any public trees at this time. Research has shown that the most effective treatment against Emerald Ash Borer is a root flare injected insecticide called Tree-Age (Emamectin Benzoate). This injection provides up to three growing seasons of protection before re-treatment is needed. The price of these injections vary but average i IlMetro-inet.uslardenhillslPR&PW1ParkslMemosICouncil Memos105212012 EAB plan.doc I' 3 between $12.00-$15.00 per inch of diameter of the tree (measured at 4.5 above the ground). Is the Council interested in treating any public trees? 6. The draft plan indicates that the City will allow chemical injections in private trees. However, it states that the City does not allow soil drenching. Does the Council want to make these restrictions? 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. 7. The City of Shoreview and New Brighton require tree contractors to apply for a business license within their Cities. Staff recommends that the City of Arden Hills add tree removal services to the list of contractors required to obtain a license from the City. This would allow the City to provide a list of certified tree companies to residents. The City currently requires certain businesses to purchase a license. However, tree removal service is not one of the business types. A copy of the current business license we use is included for Council review (Attachment Q. Is the City Council in favor of adding tree trimming licensing to our current business licensing? Council Action Requested Staff provided the draft EAB Management Plan for Council review and discussion. Staff plans on editing the draft plan based on discussion and bringing it back to a regular meeting in the near future for approval. IlMetro-inet.uslardenhillslPR&PU IParkslMemoslCouncil MemosW5212012 EAB plan.doc Attachment A : Community Tree Survey — Mn DNR (20 10) a v a>+ C m O V � > a W (A > E M L M M OC Ln • L W -� y L �' Q LU = a `� 3 r c �+ LL 6 G1 r Q. Z o 0 L S O ,}o o V � •L �+ N �--i � a O O c v 41 LA /' a Ln G1 O H C o O N Mom a C V N C ° n c ° o s = 3 �a m m m 1%I C T o 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 V — ° o o o 0 0 0 ° 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 L �+ O O co co W n n 0 0 0 0 0 0 d. 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 N d (0 O O 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 'm d O O 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 c O � � � � O 3 � C N (LO \° e e o e e e e o e e 9 O) ,� M n o 0 0 0 ( 0 0 0 0 0 0 7 •° � y f� rn n CO � h �n CO n (O •7 M M (h M N N 7 0 00 (.� M n (o M (V N 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 O V u 3 Q Vr N m C C t ` m Ln O N O U ayi ° co T u ) c o0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 O is o 0 0 o o 0 0 0 0 0 (n " m CO_ R o o rn v o 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 o n > > _ (o O <1' CO N N N N V V V V A — O• N CA O n ll) M N N m O D: A C IL H ° O v o a o o i a t 03 U? O O I� (0 C •3 O O O O .m — N m 0 0 ° 0 0 0 ° ° o o ° 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 N t0 3 N L M O m N O n O co 0 0 M 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 > N 6 O fM - 0 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 N m d O 3 s a 0 0 0 Cl +�+ E ui m 0 0 0 0 N (c°, W O m N L V T ! d 41 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 ° o GJ Y + O M (o M N I� N (D O) O O O M O o 0 0 0 o 0 0 # A t 0 (0 � (D M O O CO � f� M N a+ t "i (o O O O O 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 v a'' C J M N (O M N M V 0 M Lo M N ,y (U s O y ° 0 0 0 0 m 06°• y y O U') N M 0 C Q1 ` ` (0 N O O O O '(p c y U p E 2° L 'a d E 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 ° 0 0 0 0 c rm N O 3 M 'O O M N O) N M I� O O O M O n 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 M CP CO 00 M 6 (O of CO n N V (O L6 L6 O O C Q1 (� •o C N N N M n M M M N 0 O O — o (p N N () O M 0 0 0 0 Y C u 0 0 0 0 H C : D. m o N to Q 3 O !0 y O N CO & O c a 0 > a, c d ° .�L. ° — 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 o o o o " ' o o 0 0 0 0 T C E O) r O aD n N N o M M O o M O o O O O O O O O O O Q � y E L E 00 V O) 00 n O O c6 lA O o 0 0 0 U) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 OG n O T f0 'O N N co co N f� N Ln — M — — i .t-• 0 0 00 0 N 0 y t 'C f A r W n 6 N N C 2 r = rn rn rn rn 0) m ei y3j C �_ +• N C (0 (p o 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 o Y C Z A _O y O M M (O M O n 0 � Cfl (o m n 0 V M M M M N N e- — — — e � d " d C M 4 N, ci 6 M N N f0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 y L 7 r N o 0 0 o L �^ � � M A m M (o M L � N d N m U co M '4O Cid f0 9 C3 N w C A C N C v •A u G C) O o 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 O O O O i O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O E ° y E N O N m r I� 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 C t C •N G N m O n O M N LO M N N N N V V V V E N O O O O o -°° ~ N 0 00 0 °' M y d (n O 01 u • C N G N N M :5 m N N d t co aL. O N ° Q n m c > E T i>> c °o Z U r o € 0. + C� a d �O O N Y � U 0) -O U CA d + d1 NO N > N L Y C p_ CC,), O U C 1] O 7 (D N d y N t L C ` Q Q Q C = d J O m 7 O L U c0 2 H y (o ` . r Q d N m NO N LtJ N — N d _ ? A " E 3 ai c@ m 7 c ° 7 7 m n U n@ oc d U c C X 7 7 N .7. N Q, Cl- ? .x X 07 i � .� N (6 N O) .0 d (6 "O m C1 y Q m N U U c4 O C 7 N = O �p O N O 7 O L N 7 Q) 03 N co (n J (n H i*t t7 a Q i 2i E a m F- c� a -� 2 (n m a (n F- U Q U U F' Attachment B : Draft Emerald Ash Borer Management Plan ,ARZEN HILLS Emerald Ash Borer Management Plan Background Emerald ash borer (EAB),Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire, is an exotic beetle that was discovered in southeastern Michigan near Detroit in the summer of 2002. The adult beetles nibble on ash foliage but cause little damage. The larvae (the immature stage) feed on the inner bark of ash trees, disrupting the tree's ability to transport water and nutrients. Emerald ash borer probably arrived in the United States on solid wood packing material,carried in cargo ships or airplanes originating in its native Asia. Without any natural predatt rs, or controls in North America the Q insect has spread to 13 states and two Canadian proven k EAB adults can fly at least a half mile from tl"ee when t e'y- emerge. However, new infestations are most often created when peransport infested � rsery ash trees, logs or firewood into uninfested areas. TransportWo of firewood has been;r gulated to reduce the spread of EAB. Ramsey County is a quarantip�.rea, which prohibits th tansportation of ash wood outside the County. The Minnesota Dep�ne t t f Agriculture J \ esponsible for quarantine enforcement and penalties 3r r 4` . Signs and Symptoms \ Signs and symptoms o£; x ude: i , • Barks splitting, ,_ \, '. p 'R o Verticil fissures o ' irk o Galleries e9oseder bark split: • Serpeptine,galleries and� exit hoes i 0 � • he pr�sert of EAB or vae. o Adult—Bright, in 'c green/ h long, flattened back o Larva—Creamy whi less • Cand/ dieback o 1 gins in top one third of opy o Pr( sses until 0 is bare �,, • Increased 'Ai oodpecker �. ity. • Sprouting of epicormic! ots from the base of the tree Current EAB situation St. Paul and Falcon Heights confirmed EAB discovery in May of 2009. The City of Shoreview confirmed EAB discovery in the vicinity of County Road I and Schutta Road in July of 2011. The Department of Agriculture has since identified 11 trees in this neighborhood with confirmed EAB and several that are suspected and being monitored. How these trees became infested is 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. Emerald Ash Borer Management Plan-City of Arden Hills Page 1 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 successfu in eradicating EAB once found. EAB typically builds in population and eventually infests an, all variety of ash trees. Resident Education Resident education and communication are key co nents of ma ing the impact of the EAB, especially as more information becomes avail, "Public informattdtt is available to residents through the City's website, newsletters, and availa le at City Hall. ' Homeowners may treat their private trees, provided use licensed treat t contractor who adheres to the City's standards to .surface and drwater. ,_ Mitigation Although it is not ossible sto the s re �f inva' ecies; ,the Emerald Ash Borer, the g p p p Et �,, p„ City of Arden Hills' $7VIan ent Pled °`d tole manage the impacts. The City's mitigation of EAB will''be simila the policy'; intent of 6 tch Elm and Oak Wilt Disease, which attempts to controh pre the spread€t ,these diseases. The City,of Ard&n Hills has &!46 the folio to prepare for the EAB problem: • ampleted an electomc in lory with the software, "Simple Trees" of all trees in the ROW%long City streets, parks ,trails. This will help the City monitor the condition of ashes,throughotifil'i City. • Clarified o��r;,respon ilities for all Right of Way trees abutting a City road. These changes w e amendment of Chapter 3 of the City Code in October of 2011. % `rF • 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. Emerald Ash Borer Management Plan-City of Arden Hills Page 2 • The City website includes information for residents on what steps to take if EAB is suspected in one of their trees and general information. The City has handouts from the Minnesota Department of Resources available at City Hall. The City of Arden Hills will take the following actions: • The City will monitor ash trees throughout the City for EAB and in the event EAB is discovered, staff will utilize Chapter 7, section 710 — Protection of shade trees from the City Code to prevent the spread of the disease. As m:the case of Oak Wilt and Dutch Elm, this ordinance allows the City to enter privater�roperty for inspection of ash trees, order the removal of diseased trees, and abate th 'nuisance upon non-compliance of property owners. • The City will begin some removal of delriing ash trees on ullic property, even when EAB has not yet been identified. These ,h trees could be locaQ'within City parks or in boulevard areas. No significant prunin g methods Fto save a de&ing ash tree will be attempted. The City will remove the tree ';that,4 The decision, replace a tree that is removed will be on ,case scenartt The reasons for preemptive removal of ash trees include: o Removing Ming trees fore th \ mfeste th EAB; o Allowing forestation NAth,othe cte of treos and o Spre he cost of;tree remdVa -'a longer t riod of time. Staff will schedu oval,# eclining trees in the fall. The most critical period for moy� n con i AB ; trees May-July. This is the period when adult be es ern rge rpm trees, begin feedIng�on Tt liage, and move to more trees to lay their eggs. During this tune it Test to leave' % se trees standing and not chance the spread of EAB;,by transportingbeetle-infested wood to other areas. The City will follow the Minnesota Department of Agriculture's regulations for handling ash wood removal • There are currently two, ethods of tree treatments being offered in the marketplace; drenching the""""oil witlemicals and injecting the chemical into the tree. The City strongly discouragese use of soil drench insecticides due to potential to pollute water and negatively impe wildlife. Due to the high cost of reoccurring treatments and the long-term effects of chemical treatments on ash trees, water resources, and the environment, the City has no plans to chemically treat public trees. The City strongly encourages residents to utilize a certified arborist to treat trees. o The City will permit residents to use chemical treatments on private ash trees, given the following: a. Private contractors are to use only the approved trunk injection method. Emerald Ash Borer Management Plan-City of Arden Hills Page 3 b. The injection treatment application must be done by a City licensed tree contractor that is bonded, insured, and state licensed to apply commercial tree chemicals. • The City will publicize the Minnesota Department of Agriculture's regulations for handling ash wood removal. Ramsey County is currently under a quarantine which prohibits the transportation of wood outside of the County. From September 15th to May 1St EAB-infested trees can be removed and transported only within the quarantine area, so long as they are promptly chipped to the required dimensions, less than 1"x 1"x 1". Non- infested EAB trees can be removed from September'15th to May 1 st using the normal process of transporting un-chipped wood to the Rxxise ounty Yard Waste Site. ,/ • In an effort to encourage reforestation rivate propes, the City will promote Ramsey County's Friends of the Parks areal tree sale. %\ ``�s • The City will track the spread of EAB i iurroundi ommunrtie�� conjunction with the Department of Agricultur The following is a list of resources "`dentS to re w .to learn about Emerald Ash Borer symptoms, firewood requirements, ancnsec ~ options hese will be listed on the City's website and updated as needed. • Pest Alert-Ens Qrer (PDF) • Do I Have EAB .DF: 2431KB / 1 Da2e • A Free &tiff atio' F. 7.9 2 a es ^. ffil • S tis and Symptoms a EA f F • Map oYf i� n USA PD • Minnesota De'-" ent 7, griculture EAB Quarantine • Firewood Restrictia6fi"s Safe Handling Guidelines • Homeowner Guide to Insecticide Selection, Use and Environmental Protection • Ash Tree Waste Disposal Sites within Hennepin-Ramsey-Houston County Emerald Ash Borer Management Plan-City of Arden Hills Page 4 Attachment C : Copy of current City business license 2012- -A EN HILLS Payment Method _..............: ---................... 2012 City Contractors Receipt#.. 1245 West Hwy 96 _.. Arden Hills 55112 License (�50 Fee) Date Paid *F Phone 651.792.7800*Fax 651.634.5137 www.ci.arden-hills.mn.us License Type: ❑Commercial ❑Mechanical**must attach a copy of your current state surety bond** ❑Specialty(describe) (All information requested is required.) Company Name: Address: City/State/Zip: Email Address: Phone#: Federal Tax ID#: Fax#: MN Tax ID#: Applicant Name SSN: -- Required Submittals: ■ Payment of$50 (enclose check or pay by credit card in person) ■ Attach a Certificate of Liability Insurance of at least$100,000 for bodily injury to any one person,including accidental death,and not less than$300,000 aggregate;property damage liability of at least$100,000 for each accident and not less than$100,000 aggregate. ■ Attach a Certificate of Worker's Compensation to the minimum acceptable levels of the State of Minnesota. OR: Sign Worker's Compensation Waiver: Worker's Compensation Wavier If you are a sole proprietor and have chosen not to carry worker's comp,the following waiver must be signed: As a sole' proprietor or partnership, I/we have chosen not to carry Workers Compensation Insurance on myself/ourselves Authorized Signature Date NOTICES AND AUTHORIZATIONS. No work shall be done under this license until the insurance policies have been filed and approved by the City of Arden Hills Code Enforcement Division. Pursuant to Laws of Minnesota,1984,Chapter 502,Article 8,Section 2(270.72)(Tax Clearance;Issuance of Licenses),the City of Arden Hills is required to provide to the Minnesota commissioner of Revenue the Minnesota business tax identification number and social security number of each applicant. Under the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act and the Federal Privacy Act of 1974,we are required to advise you of the following regarding the use of this information: * This information may be used to deny the issuance or renewal of your license in the event you owe Minnesota sales,employer's withholding or motor vehicle excise taxes; * Upon receiving this information,the City of Arden Hills will supply it only to the Minnesota Department of Revenue;however,under the Federal Exchange of Information Agreement,the Department of Revenue may supply this information to the Internal Revenue Service; * Failure to supply this information may jeopardize or delay the processing of your license issuance or renewal application. The above signed applicant makes this application pursuant to all the laws of the State of Minnesota and such rules and regulations as the Council of the City of Arden Hills may from time to time prescribe. The above-named firm hereby applies for a license for the term of one year,this term beginning January 1,2012 to December 31,2012,with the City of Arden Hills,Minnesota. Applicant Signature ___----------------------------------------- Date .............