11-29-2017 Park Board Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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1 ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD AGENDA ITEM 6A STAFF ORIGINATOR: Marty Asleson, Environmental Coordinator MEETING DATE: November 29, 2017 TOPIC: Environmental Board/Park Board Joint Meeting Emerald Ash Borer/Lino Lakes BACKGROUND Emerald ash borer (EAB) is an ash tree destroying insect that was introduced into the United States around 2002 in Michigan. The insect most likely came into the country in infested packing crates from Asia. EAB was discovered in a Saint Anthony Park neighborhood in 2009. In October 2017, EAB was identified infesting ash trees in the Target infiltration ponds by a park board member, John Nordlund. In 2010, the city drafted an ‘EAB Management Plan’ in anticipation of an infestation in Lino Lakes. The plan addresses the removal, replacement and treatment in some cases of our ash trees. Lino Lakes changed the ‘Disease Tree Ordinance’ in 2010 to include ash trees and EAB. Target Corporation has been contacted and has acknowledged the issue and have communicated the trees will be removed before May 1, 2017. In 2010, Lino Lakes started removing and replacing ash trees on city boulevards and in Parks. At that time, there were approximately 520 ash trees on city boulevards, and approximately 450 city park trees. Since the original inventory, the city has removed and replaced about 180 Boulevard trees, and 175 Park Trees. Lino Lakes began treating boulevard ash trees this summer, for 86 ash trees treated. Up to this point, most of the park tree removals, and many of the street tree removals/replacements were removed and replaced by Mike Hoffman’s parks crew. Boulevard ash trees will be treated on a three-year cycle until the trees can be removed and replaced. A very large percentage of park and open space trees (approximately 360 trees) are located in Country lakes Estates Park and Reshanau Lakes Estates trail and open space