09/28/2011 Environmental Board Minutes

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ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETING September 28, 2011 DRAFT MINUTES 4 2. Remove/Replace all City Ash trees. This option removes and replaces every Ash tree with a new tree that won’t get Emerald Ash borer. acceptable to the City Forester. This plan is the least costly way to manage the Lino Lakes Ash forest and allow the urban forest it to regain its former size. The City will utilize City crews to remove and replace all City Ash Trees 3. Treat City Ash trees with insecticide. This plan has the lowest annual out of pocket costs, but it has the greatest cost over time. It also produces the largest remaining forest over time. Research demonstrates that insecticides can protect small trees < 12” in diameter until they reach a 15 inch diameter. Effective treatment of larger trees would require either a more frequent application, or a higher dose of inspective insecticide. Research as of 3.8.2010 shows one application of insecticide will treat a tree for at least possibly up to 3 years. The City will utilize City personnel who have been trained and licensed in treatment for EAB, to treat City trees chosen to be treated. 4. Combination of the first 3 options. Treating at least the middle range of City tree size also gives the City time to spread our losses over a much greater time period, and possibly eliminate our losses for treated trees. Treated trees should be limited to trees in good vigor with good form. Poor formed trees or trees in declining condition should be removed as soon as possible. Natural controls with parasitic and predatory insects, genetic selection and manipulation, all take time. The estimated time to achieve success in one of these areas is 20 years minimum. Administration The City Forester shall coordinate efforts with the Public Works Department, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture and/or the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Anoka County, and St Paul District Energy to seek assistance for the removal, disposal, replacement, and treatment of City Plan Ash trees. Furthermore the City Forester shall enforce the City Shade Tree Disease Control Ordinance and assist and educate the public in private Ash tree disposal. The disease control ordinance shall be an integral part of this plan. City Park and Boulevard Tree Management Recommendations Protocol First remove all poorly formed and defective City owned Ash trees. Recommended procedure for City Ash Trees is removal of all poorly- formed and/or defective trees first. Chemically treat all trees in the 6 to 12 inch classification. , r Remove and replace all Ash trees < 6 inches and trees > 12 inches. Should future chemical labels allow for higher chemical injection