6.A. PRSR 05-08-2013 E
l 4REQUEST FOR ACTION
River-
TO ITEM NUMBER 1
Parks and Recreation Commission 6.A.
AGENDA SECTION MEETING DATE PREPARED BY
Action Items May 8,2013 Michael Hecker, Parks and Recreation
Director
ITEM DESCRIPTION REVIEWED By
Emerald Ash Borer Preparedness and Management Plan.
REVIEWED BY
ACTION REQUESTED
City staff recommends the Parks and Recreation Commission approve the Emerald Ash Borer
Preparedness and Management Plan.
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION
An Emerald Ash Borer Plan has been developed in response to a serious regional pest that has caused
massive tree loss through 18 states. The need for a plan was first presented to city staff last winter by
Gina Hugo, Resources Conservationist for the Sherburne Soil&Water Conservation District. Gina will
present the need for a plan at the May 8 Parks and Recreation Commission meeting.
Gina has been the lead on this plan working with many of the municipalities in Sherburne County. The
plan can only be effective through the cooperative efforts of areas cities, including our own City's
Environmental, Streets and Parks Divisions. The implementation of certain plan objectives will be in
cooperation with the Sherburne County Urban Forestry Committee.
This plan has been reviewed by city staff in the Environmental, Streets and Parks divisions. It has also
been reviewed by the City Attorney.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
The financial impact to the city from this plan is minimal until the Emerald Ash Borer is detected in our
area. Staff may begin proactively removing ash trees as part of a normal component of urban forest
management.
ATTACHMENTS
• Emerald Ash Borer Community Preparedness and Management Plan
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Community Preparedness and
Management Plan
for the
City of Elk River
As Approved by the Council on month, day, year
EAB Community Preparedness & Management Plan - Page 1
Purpose
This plan was developed in response to a serious regional pest that has caused massive tree
loss throughout 18 states. The intent of this plan is to:
1. Proactively mitigate the spread of EAB
2. Address public needs in an efficient and effective manner
3. Identify existing resources and needs for staff to implement management
4. Distribute costs and losses over a manageable time period
5. Lessen social and economic impact
6. Maximize and maintain long-term benefits of the urban forest
7. Maintain consistency and coordinate actions across jurisdictions and with surrounding
communities
8. Provide education and outreach to elected officials, special interest groups and citizens
9. Assure a plan and infrastructure is in place to re-plant as removals occur
Applicability
This plan is applicable to all public properties where ash trees are currently growing in the City,
on private properties where such trees may negatively impact public right-of-ways, on private
properties where such trees threaten the safety of people or property, and on private
properties where infested trees generally threaten the health of the urban forest overall.
Administration
This plan will be administered through the cooperative efforts of the City's Environmental,
Streets and Parks Divisions. All efforts will be effectively communicated between divisions. The
implementation of certain plan objectives will be in cooperation with the Sherburne County
Urban Forestry Committee.
EAB Community Preparedness & Management Plan - Page 2
Executive Summary
Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) is an exotic pest introduced to the U.S. from Asia. It was first detected
in Detroit in 2002, although based on the population level at that time; it is speculated to have
first arrived in the 1990's. Since being discovered in the U.S., it has spread to 18 states as well
as into Canada. EAB was found in St. Paul, MN in May of 2009 and several months later in the
cities of Minneapolis and Falcon Heights. In 2012, EAB was detected in Ramsey County. Major
Travel Corridors coming from quarantined counties enter and border our community: US Hwy
10 out of Ramsey County and through Anoka County to Sherburne County, US Hwy 101 and 1-94
out of Hennepin County. The primary method of spread is not natural movement of the insect
but rather via firewood infestation. The proximity of Elk River to these roadways place the ash
trees at a high risk. The pest attacks and kills all species of ash trees (Fraxinus spp). Ash trees
were heavily planted throughout the city, especially during and since Dutch Elm Disease and
Oak Wilt mortalities.
Once detected in an area, EAB populations are often high and at damaging levels. Based on the
experience of hundreds of communities that are mitigating the impacts of EAB, Elk River can
expect significant mortality of ash trees 8—10 years after infestation. Most infestations are not
detected until affected trees show symptoms that become evident approximately 3 years after
infestation. Early detection is critical in order to implement actions that may reduce EAB
populations. The impact of EAB is more manageable over a longer period of time and eases the
day to day pressure on available resources.
Ramifications associated with this level of tree loss are costly and will be recognized in the city
budget through negative environmental impacts, aesthetic degradation and decreased property
value.
The forest canopy assessment is a key component of this plan and will help identify the best
management practices to implement. Examples of such practices include but are not limited
to: pre-emptive removals of low value ash (improperly placed, structurally defective or hazard,
small diameter (< 3") ash trees or those causing damage to infrastructure); chemical treatment
of high value ash, diversification of canopy through annual planting, and early detection
through regular monitoring and survey work.
Ash Management
Management techniques are based on the latest available information and recommendations
from leading state agencies (Minnesota Department of Agriculture, Minnesota Department of
Natural Resources, and the University of Minnesota). Techniques may be altered as EAB
situation evolves and new technologies become available.
EAB Community Preparedness& Management Plan - Page 3
1. Tree Survey
The tree survey being conducted during the leaf-on season in 2013 involves a stratified
random sampling of both public and private properties. The findings will enable staff to
define the scope of the problem and initiate remediation plans. The SWCD is
coordinating with the U of M Urban and Community Forestry Department and the SCSU
Spatial Analysis & Research Center to:
• Create maps
• Conduct the pre-sample
• Design the survey
• Train &support the volunteers
• Manage & process the data
• Compile inventory report
The city may support the inventory process by recruiting and providing volunteer
contacts to the SWCD.
2. Removals
Staff may begin proactively removing ash trees based on survey results and other
inventory/monitoring efforts that are, but not limited to: in poor condition or
improperly placed (such as under utility lines).
Tree removals are a normal component of urban forest management, as poor condition
and dead trees need to be removed for reasons of aesthetics and liability. Post EAB tree
removal could easily exceed existing resources so alternative methods should remain an
option.
Removals of EAB infested trees on public property will be prioritized highest to lowest as
follows:
• Hazard Trees
• Dead
• Dying
• Improperly placed
• Trees with poor structure (visible internal rot, included bark, stems cracks,
cambium loss)
• All other trees
Tree survey data will be run through Purdue University's EAB cost calculator
http://extension.entm.purdue.edu/treecomputer/to generate the estimated
management control cost to the city.
EAB Community Preparedness & Management Plan - Page 4
Cost for existing staff to do tree removals:
a. $30 per stump (contract) with park employees cleaning and seeding
b. 7 worker hours per tree for removal and disposal
c. $150 per tree to replace (specify varieties allowed & age)
Total Cost per removal: $180 plus 7 staff hours
Difficult removals justify hiring Contractors for removal operations which on average
can cost:
a. $450 per tree removed + $75 per stump include grinding & cleaning site
b. $325 per tree to replace and guarantee for one year
Total Cost per removal: $850
Post EAB detection removals are critical to reduce hazard and liability posed by dead
standing trees. Removals will be executed by existing city staff, unless extraordinarily
precarious removals require the expertise of a certified arborist. If the number of
removals overwhelms staff and sufficient funds are available, a private certified tree
service may be contracted.
Tree removals will occur between October 1 and April 1 to reduce further spread of EAB.
This recommended schedule will reduce time constraints on staff during the busy
summer season when many priorities compete for limited resources.
Tree removal on private property will be the responsibility of the landowner. Ash trees
that are infested with EAB will be subject to the nuisance tree ordinance.
In cooperation with the Sherburne County Urban Forestry Committee,the City will co-
host an EAB Awareness and Best Management Practices workshop for the local green
industry. Attendees will earn an endorsement by the committee and be identified on
the list of recommended contractors that can be used county-wide.
3. Tree Replacement
a. Annual tree replacement will be accomplished through the shared resource of
the Gravel Tree Bed Nursery. The SWCD will be available to work with city staff
to determine priority planting locations. The City and SWCD will train, supervise
and work with volunteers to plant gravel bed grown trees in late September
through early November.
b. Species grown in the gravel bed will be selected from the list of "Recommended
trees for Southeast Minnesota:An Ecosystem Approach"by Gary R. Johnson,
University of Minnesota Extension Service— Urban and Community Forestry&
Katie M. Himanga, Heartwood Forestry, or other published references as they
become available.
EAB Community Preparedness & Management Plan - Page 5
c. Bare root stock will meet the MnDOT 3861 Plant Stock Specification available at
http://www.dot.state.mn.us/pre-letting/spec/2000/sp3861.pdf
d. All trees will be planted according to MnDOT 2571 Plant Installation Specification
available at http://www.dot.state.mn.us/pre-letting/prov/order/2571.pdf
e. After planting and up to the time of killing frost, the SWCD will maintain regular
communication with staff and volunteers to ensure adequate watering of new
trees.
f. The SWCD may annually request sufficient funds to purchase bare root stock for
spring gravel bed installation.
4. Insecticide Treatment of Trees
Insecticides may be considered for ash trees that have been condition rated above 3 and
that provide ecological services if EAB has been detected within a 15 mile radius. This
will be allowing staff to stagger removals and reduce EAB populations—not to save
trees in perpetuity.
a. Large (>8" dbh) ash on public property that are a significant component of the
urban infrastructure will be considered for treatment with Emamectin benzoate.
Bids will be solicited to certified arborist for application to selected trees.
b. Small (<8" dbh) ash on public property that are providing ecological services and
are in good condition may be treated with imidacloprid by city/county staff that
are licensed as chemical applicators. (Treatment for trees of less than 8"dbh
should be considered carefully. The investment is not necessarily worth the
return. An ash tree does not start providing ecological services at a high enough
rate to pay for itself until it is 8"dbh.)
Treatment will be considered for high priority trees and will not be used on hazard
trees, those planted in poor locations, those that have a poor condition rating or are
causing damage to infrastructure.
As of 2013, the average cost for treatment:
Emamectin Benzoate (TREE-age) $10 - $12/ diameter inch at breast height
Imidacloprid (Merit) $5 - $8/diameter inch at breast height
5. Wood Utilization
Currently the City of Elk River manages a compost site that is open for public use. Similar
compost sites are also located in the cities of Zimmerman, Big Lake, and Becker. Wood
waste collected at these sites is contracted to be ground by a private company on an as
EAB Community Preparedness & Management Plan - Page 6
needed basis during the summer. Ground material is taken off site and processed into
various grades of mulch.
In the face of EAB, city staff will investigate the process necessary to acquire
permits/licenses needed to store wood infected with EAB.
The Urban Forestry Committee will contact Great River Energy in Elk River to discuss the
potential for them to accept ash material when volumes overwhelm the capacity of the
compost sites.
Creative, innovate ideas will be considered for utilizing large diameter ash logs. Through
collaborative efforts of the Urban Forestry Committee the city will pursue contracts with
sawmills that are within the county or in other quarantined counties sharing a boundary
with Sherburne County. The list for the Metro and surrounding areas is:
http://files.dnr.state.mn.us/forestry/um/twincities sawmill drykiln listing.pdf
Monitoring& Reporting
The Sherburne County Urban Forestry Committee will coordinate an annual volunteer
monitoring survey to monitor ash trees for signs and symptoms of EAB and to condition rate
high priority ash trees.
1. Visual Scouting of public trees can be conducted by Streets and Parks staff when their
daily work accommodates close proximity to ash trees.
2. Ash that are removed for reasons other than EAB will be inspected for "D-shaped" exit
holes and "S-shaped, sinuous" galleries.
3. The city will participate in and support public outreach through current media.
4. Priority areas to monitor include parks (provide names) and Pinewood and Elk River golf
courses, and around compost sites. Sink trees may be used as a method of detection.
The City will work with MDA and SWCD on timing of setting, checking and removal.
5. Through the media, homeowners will be encouraged to visually survey their trees for
signs associated with EAB.
6. All suspect trees will be reported to MDAs Arrest the Pest Program @ 1-888-545-6684
(voicemail) or Arrest.The.Pest @state.mn.us and a First Detector will be dispatched.
Update Ordinances & Policies
EAB Community Preparedness & Management Plan - Page 7
1. The City of Elk River currently references Oak Wilt and Dutch Elm Disease in a
Vegetation Ordinance. This ordinance will be revised to include EAB and all diseased or
infested trees.
2. The City of Elk River will initiate a tree preservation policy or ordinance to addresses
proper sanitation measures for diseased and insect infested wood.
3. The City of Elk River no longer accepts ash (Fraxinus spp) in landscape plans submitted
for public/private infrastructure.
4. Private landowners will be encouraged to plant alternative tree varieties through local
newspaper articles, the city website, city cable channel and other means of
communication.
Identification of Resources & Needs
1. Existing Resources for Managing EAB:
a. Streets and Parks have licensed pesticide applicators and are capable to treat trees
on public property with Imidacloprid.
b. Streets and Parks staff are trained and equipped to conduct tree removals on public
property. An average of XX removals are done every year.
c. Infested wood will be transported to an approved compost facility to be sorted,
processed and dispatched.
d. City compost sites are located in Becker, Big Lake, Elk River and Zimmerman.
e. Streets and Parks staff includes individuals that maintain their Tree Inspector CEUs
and status.
f. The City of Elk River may also utilize the Forest Health and First Detector Services of
the Sherburne Soil & Water Conservation District.
2. Additional Resources Needed for Managing EAB:
a. The current budget will not
support the anticipated cost Minneapolis/St. Paul
for increased tree removals.
Additional sources of funding Ash Mortality from EAB
will be required to follow
manage the volume of
proactive and dead tree °
removals.
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f
b. The tree inventory survey
will be conducted with to
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EAB
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Years After First EAB Infestation
additional resources from SWCD staff, U of M staff, SCSU staff and volunteers.
c. EAB infested ash trees on private property need to be managed through removal
and sanitation of wood or chemical treatment (or a combination of both). The city
will attempt to arrange a contract price extension for landowners dealing with EAB.
d. Through the collaborative efforts of the Urban Forestry Committee, grant funds will
be sought when available to assist with the cost of managing EAB on both public and
private land.
e. EAB Cost Calculator: http://extension.entm.purdue.edu/treecomputer/will assist
with projecting budget needs for removals and treatment (which can be added after
the survey results, combined with data form the city is analyzed).
f. The City may need to contract tree removal services when mortality peaks, requiring
additional funding not currently in the budget.
g. The City may need to contract with certified arborists to administer Emamectin
benzoate (injected with Arborjet®) —also requiring additional funding not currently
in the budget.
Potential Competing Priorities
It is unlikely that existing staff will be able to manage the impacts of EAB without additional
resources. Staff time is dedicated to essential services and does not currently have the ability to
accommodate such an increase in workload.
Authority
1. Local Authority—City ordinance will be updated to include reference to EAB in the
definition of a nuisance tree.
2. State of MN Regulation and Quarantine— "The emerald ash borer (EAB) is a serious
invasive tree pest, and consequently quarantine has been placed on Ramsey, Hennepin,
Houston, and Winona Counties to help slow the spread of EAB to other areas. Materials
such as: ash logs and lumber, ash tree waste, ash chips and mulch, all hardwood
firewood; are now considered regulated articles by the Minnesota Department of
Agriculture (MDA).
No regulated articles are legally allowed to move outside of a quarantine (untreated or
treated), unless they are accompanied by a MDA certificate. MDA Certificates are only
available when a Compliance Agreement (CA) is signed between the Minnesota
Department of Agriculture and the company, city, county, agency, or organization
interested in moving the regulated article."-MDA.
EAB Community Preparedness & Management Plan - Page 9
Further information can be found in MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE STATE
FORMAL QUARANTINE EMERALD ASH BORER AG:#2488080-v1
3. Federal Regulation & Quarantine - USDA 7 CFR 301.53-1 through 301.53-9 addresses
federal regulations on EAB.
Communication
Currently, consistent communication regarding EAB is conducted through the Sherburne
County Urban Forestry Committee, where staff from the municipalities within Sherburne
County, collaborate planning and preparedness efforts.
When EAB is detected:
• Contact MDA, the MN DNR and the Sherburne SWCD.
• The city sends a press release to the local newspapers in the surrounding
communities.
• Education and Outreach materials will be posted on cable channel and website.
• Email/postcards will be sent out to those who volunteered in the community tree
inventory survey to inform them and acknowledge their contribution to readiness.
Education and Outreach
1. Elected Officials (city council, park advisory committee and planning commission) have
been informed of the seriousness of EAB through a live presentation given by the
• Sherburne SWCD on behalf of the Urban Forestry Committee. They will view the "Cycle
of Destruction" animation and be able to examine the larvae and adult beetle samples
in addition to a sample ash branch complete with galleries. Elected officials are
encouraged to learn more by visiting www.emeraldashborer.info and
www.mda.state.mn.us/plants/pestmanagement/eab and
http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/invasives/terrestrialanimals/eab/index.html
2. Streets and Parks staff will continue to attend necessary training to obtain CEUs for
"Tree Inspector" status and become even more familiar with EAB signs and symptoms.
Information garnered from training will be shared at staff meetings and department
head meetings. SWCD may be asked to give a presentation at such meetings.
3. The City may coordinate efforts through the Urban Forestry Committee and the MN
DNR in posting "Don't Move Firewood" Signs at compost sites, in city newsletters, on
billboards as well as other possible areas.
4. The Urban Forestry Committee will communicate with lake associations and townships
and encourage including the "Don't Move Firewood" message in regular newsletters.
EAB Community Preparedness& Management Plan - Page 10
5. In conjunction with the tree inventory survey, door hangers will be used on private
homes to increase awareness about EAB with links to websites where more information
can be found.
6. The City may make available on the website links to the most recent publications made
available by leading experts in the field.
7. The city is coordinating educational opportunities for staff, local utilities and green
industry on EAB, detection and management.
8. More technical information on EAB can be found at:
EAB University- http://www.emeraldashborer.info/
MN Department of Agriculture, Plant Protection Division -
http://www.mda.state.mn.us/plants/pestmanagement/eab.aspx
Definitions
Tree inventory survey—a method of inventorying a random sampling of urban trees to
affordable establish a database of urban tree information necessary for adequate planning.
dbh—Stands for diameter at breast height, it is a standard measurement of a tree's trunk taken
at 4.5' above the ground.
EAB—Stands for Emerald Ash Borer,Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire in any stage of development.
Hazard tree - Any tree or tree part that poses a high risk of failure or fracture; that would result
in damage to people or property.
Quarantine area—A defined geographic area from which goods may not be transported;
quarantines will be established by federal or state agencies to restrict ash wood movement out
of infested areas to avoid emerald ash borer infestation of new areas; quarantines can be
applied to an individual property, township, county, or entire state.
Contact List
Mark Abrahamson MN Department MN Dept. of Agriculture, 651-201-6505 Mark.Abrahamson @state.mn.us
of Agriculture— 625 Robert St. N,
Plant Protection St. Paul, MN
Division 55155-2538
Arrest the Pest MDA Arrest.The.Pest @state.mn.us
Ken Holman MN DNR—Urban 500 Lafayette Rd. 651-259-5269 ken.holman @state.mn.us
EAB Community Preparedness & Management Plan -Page 11
&Community St. Paul, MN 55155
Forestry
Sherburne County Urban Forestry
Committee
14855 Hwy 10 Elk River 763.241.1170
Gina Hugo Sherburne SWCD 55330 ext 101 ghugo @sherburneswcd.org
Elk River- Park
Maintenance 19000 Proctor Road
Rodney Schreifels Supervisor Elk River 55330 763.635.1123 rschreifels @ElkRiverMN.gov
Elk River- 13065 Orono Parkway
Environmental NW
Rebecca Haug Administrator Elk River 55330 763.635.1068 rhaug @ElkRiverMN.gov
Elk River-Streets 19000 Proctor Road
Mark Thompson Superintendent 55330 763.635.1122 mthompson @ElkRiverMN.gov
Big Lake-Public 18041 198th Avenue
Mike Goebel Work Director 55309 763.263.2268 Mike@ci.big-lake.mn.us
Becker-Becker 11500 Sherburne Ave.
Park& Rec 55308
Jamie Cassidy Director 763.200.4272 Jcassidy @ci.becker.mn.us
Becker-Public 12060 Sherburne Ave.
Joe Danielson Works Director 55308 763.200.4275 publicworks @ci.becker.mn.us
Zimmerman-City 12980 Fremont Ave.
Randy Piasecki Administrator 55398 763.856.4666 rpiasecki @sherbtel.net
Princeton-Public 705 2nd Street North
Bob Gerold Works Director 55371 763.389.2040 bgerold@princetonmn.org
Sherburne 13880 Business Center Dr
Jon Sevald County Planner NW 55330 763.765.4450 jon.sevald @co.sherburne.mn.us
• Park& Rec 400 2nd Street S. St.
Scott Zlotnik Director Cloud, MN.56301 320.650.3170 Scott.zlotnik@ci.stcloud.mn.us
(Office @ Lake George 1101 7th St.S.)
MB Community Preparedness & Management Plan - Page 12