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Environmental Board <br />November 30, 2022 <br />Page 2 <br /> <br />DRAFT MINUTES <br /> <br />6. ACTION ITEMS <br /> <br />A. Emerald Ash Borer Injection Program <br /> <br />Mr. Nelson, Environmental Coordinator, presented the staff report. <br /> <br />Emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis, EAB) is a non-native invasive beetle that is <br />causing widespread ash tree mortality in much of the eastern half of the United States. <br />Lino Lakes is within the heavily infested area in the metro. In the next few years, the <br />vast majority of ash trees in the city will be killed, removed, or treated with insecticides. <br />The City response to EAB with respect to public trees includes removals of boulevard ash <br />trees, replacement of these trees with a diverse mix of species, and insecticide injections <br />that allow the City to stagger removals over time. <br /> <br />Mr. Nelson stated the EAB injection program was initially approved by the <br />Environmental Board in October 2020, and City Council approved the program in <br />December 2020. Continuing the program for another two years will be beneficial to the <br />health of private trees and public trees. The City contracted with Rainbow Tree Care in <br />2021 and 2022 to provide discounted ash injections for city boulevard trees and private <br />trees for interested homeowners. <br /> <br />Mr. Nelson reviewed the benefits of the EAB injection program. The program offers a <br />dependable treatment service that keeps trees healthy and safe for City work crews <br />preforming removals. Rainbow Tree Care also distributes a postcard to all residents <br />informing them about EAB, the benefits of injection, and provides a clear option for <br />injections with contact information. The program provides the City with mapping and <br />data for all trees injected (public and private) to assist in the EAB response planning. <br /> <br />Mr. Nelson concluded that the initial two years of the EAB injection program have been <br />successful. The City can continue the program even when all City boulevard trees have <br />been removed in order to continue providing the benefits for private treatments. <br /> <br />Mr. Parsons mentioned concerns that there will be an extra cost for removing trees that <br />are already dead. <br /> <br />Mr. Nelson confirmed that was correct for a lot of tree companies because the trees are <br />brittle and more dangerous to work on after they’ve been killed by EAB infestation. <br /> <br />Chair Sullivan questioned if the costs for private trees are out-of-pocket costs for <br />residents. Mr. Nelson confirmed that was correct. <br /> <br />Chair Sullivan asked if there are different costs for different size trees or if there is a <br />standard charge. <br />