HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-04-18-Resolutions 16-133_Emerald Ash Borer Management PlanTHE CITY OF WAUKEE,IOWA
RESOLUTION 16-133
APPROVING AND ADOPTING THE CITY OF WAUKEE EMERALD ASH BORER
MANAGEMENT PLAN
IN THE NAME AND BY THE AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF WAUKEE,1OWA
WHEREAS,the City of Waukee,Dallas County,State of Iowa,is a duly organized
Municipal Organization;AND,
WHEREAS,Emerald Ash Borer (Agrilus planipennis)is an invasive wood boring beetle that
attacks and kills ash trees;AND,
WHEREAS,Emerald Ash Borer infestations have been confirmed in many Iowa counties,
including Dallas County;AND,
WHEREAS,the Waukee Parks and Recreation Department and Waukee Public Works
Department recommend the approval and adoption of a City of Waukee Emerald Ash Borer
Management Plan in order to mitigate the damage and cost associated with infestation of the
Emerald Ash Borer on City-owned ash trees.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the City of Waukee City Council that it
hereby approves the City of Waukee Emerald Ash Borer Management Plan,attached hereto
as Exhibit A.
Passed by the City Council of the City of Waukee,Iowa,and approved the 18'"y of April,
2016.
William .card,Mayor
Attest:
Rebecca D.Schuett,City Clerk
ROLL CALL VOTE
Shane Blanchard
Brian Harrison
Shelly Hughes
Larry R.Lyon
Rick Peterson
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Contents
Introduction
1.1 Purpose
1.2 Applicability
1.3 Administration
Background
2.1 Emerald Ash Borer (EAB)
2.2 Location
2.3 State Readiness Plan
Inventory and Assessment
3.1 Public Tree Inventory
3.2 Public Tree Assessment
3.3 Private Trees
4.
5.
Management Plan
4.1 Monitoring
4.2 Pre-Emptive Removal
4.3 EAB Infestation
4.4 Disposal of Debris
4.5 Planting and Restoration
Communication and Outreach
5.1 Community Education
1.Introduction
1.1 Purpose
The intent of this management program is to mitigate the damage and cost
associated with infestation of the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB).This cooperative effort
by the Public Works Department and the Parks and Recreation Department is a
proactive approach and enables the City to address public and private needs in an
efficient and effective manner.The City will attempt to distribute the costs of this
plan over a manageable time period.It is anticipated that no State or Federal
assistance will be made available to local governments to deal with the impacts of
the EAB.
1.2 Applicability
This program is applicable to ash trees located on any public property,right-of-way,
or Parks and Trails.This program does not apply to private properties unless such
trees are deemed a nuisance and may negatively impact public right-of-ways,other
properties,or pose a threat to public safety.
1.3 Administration
The Public Works Department will be responsible for implementation of this plan for
trees located in the right-of-way,and the Parks and Recreation Department will be
responsible for implementation of this plan for trees located in the City's parks and
along the City's trails.
2.Background
2.1 Emerald Ash Borer (EAB)
The emerald ash borer (EAB)is a small green invasive wood-boring beetle that
attacks and kills ash trees.The adults live on the outside of ash trees feeding on the
leaves during the summer months.The larvae look similar to white grubs and feed
on the living plant tissue (phloem and cambium)underneath the bark of ash trees.
The trees are killed by the tunneling activity of the larvae under the trees bark,which
disrupts the vascular flow.The metallic green beetle is native to Asia and was
transported to the United States on wood pallets and crates.
Originally discovered in the Detroit,Michigan area in 2002;the pest has also been
found in Illinois,Ohio,Pennsylvania,Wisconsin,Minnesota,Iowa,Missouri,Colorado
and two Canadian Provinces.Since its discovery,the EAB has been responsible for
killing millions of ash trees throughout these infested areas of the country.Research
continues with insecticide treatments.Some success has been noted in insecticide
treatments protecting ash trees from EAB prior to infestation.As this pest continues
to spread,additional damage to ash trees can be expected.Trees that have been
attacked by EAB can die in as little as two years.
2.2 Location
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2.3 State Readiness Plan
Due to the potentially catastrophic impact of EAB,the State of iowa has developed
the iowa Emerald Ash Borer Readiness Plan that can be found on the Department of
Natural Resources website.This plan outlines the roles and responsibilities of State
agencies in dealing with EAB as well as the procedures for ongoing monitoring and
investigating suspected infestations.The plan does not outline the specifics of
regulatory requirements following a confirmed infestation,nor does it identify any
State assistance other than technical expertise.
3.Inventory and Assessment
3.1 Public Tree Inventory
In the fall of 2013,City staff and IDNR conducted a tree inventory on public property,
right-of-ways,and parks and trails.A total of 1,787 trees were inventoried,296 were
identified as Ash trees.Using the field GPS unit,the location of each tree and the
perceived general condition of each tree was noted and has been stored in a
database for easy retrieval.There were 206 ash trees located within the right of way
for which the City will have responsibility for removal.26 ash trees were identified as
being in poor condition.Staff continues to monitor all ash trees and their conditions
on an annual basis.
3.2 Public Tree Assessment
Public Tree Quality Assessment
~Dead/Dying
~Poor
a Fair
~Good
3.3 Private Trees
The City recognizes that there are numerous ash trees on private property.
Currently,the City has no reliable inventory for ash trees on private property.
Property owners are urged to monitor the EAB movement.The decision to remove
or treat ash trees on private property rests with the property owner.
4.Management Plan
In the event of an infestation,the City and the entire Des Moines Metropolitan area,
may be working under the direction of the United States Department of Agriculture
(USDA),the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (IDNR),and the Iowa Department
of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS).As EAB continues to spread throughout
iowa,State and Federal resources are expected to be limited.Therefore,it is
necessary that the City has its own strategy to complement State efforts to manage
the effects of EAB.The proposed EAB management strategy includes:Monitoring,
Wood Utilization and Disposal,Infested Tree removal,and Tree Planting.
4.1 Monitoring
Staff will complete an annual assessment of all public owned ash trees.Staff training
on EAB identification and its signs and symptoms will be an ongoing effort.Staff will
continue to attend training sessions as provided by the DNR,IDALS,ISU and other
opportunities as they become available.
4.2 Pre-Emptive Removal
The City does not plan to do any pre-emptive removal or insecticide treatments of
any trees with in the right-of-way or Parks at this time.City staff will monitor trees
each year and will remove any tree that is deemed dead or a safety concern.
4.3 EAB Infestation
On April 1S 2015 an EAB was positively identified in a residential tree in the
southeast corner of Dallas County,making Dallas County the 21"county in iowa
where this invasive beetle has been found.
If it is determined that an infestation has occurred,the regulatory authorities will
determine an approved method for disposal of ash tree debris which may include
heat treatments,incineration or chipping to meet a specific size restriction of the
chips.
City staff will be utilized as much as possible to effectively manage the response to an
EAB infestation.Staff from all departments may have duties reassigned to assist with
this effort as determined by the level and nature of the infestation.Contractors may
also be utilized as needed to assist with the workload and in particular instances
where the City's equipment is inappropriate to safely address a specific tree removal
or insecticide treatment.
4.4 Disposal of Debris
Since the entire state of iowa was quarantined in February of 2014,there are no
restrictions on the transport of ash wood debris within state borders.Standard
methods of disposal will be utilized for ash trees that are removed with much of the
wood being chipped for use as mulch throughout the park system.Firewood and or
mulch will also be made available to residents.
4.5 Planting and Restoration
Trees that are removed will be replaced with a variety of landscape trees at a rate of
2 trees planted for every tree removed in parks.Ash Trees within the right-of-way
will be replaced at the sole discretion of the Public Works Director.Every effort will
be made to replace at a rate of 1:1.
5.Communication and Outreach
5.1 Community Education
Community outreach will play an important role in educating the public and raising
awareness of EAB.Residents will be encouraged to have their trees inspected if they
suspect EAB.EAB information and links to other web sites will continue to be
available on the City web site and this information will be updated as more
information becomes available.
Informational meetings will be held prior to the adoption of the plan by the City
Council.Public meetings will be held in March of 2016.