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Roads and Parks Maintenance Department TO: Community Services Committee SUBJECT: 2010 Emerald Ash Borer Action Plan File Number(s): 820-01 Ward(s) Affected: 1 2 3 4 5 6 All Date to Council: April 12, 2010

Report Number: RPM - 3 - 10 Report Date: March 12, 2010 Date to Committee: March 31, 2010

Recommendation: RECEIVE and APPROVE the 2010 Emerald Ash Borer

Action Plan described in report RPM-3-10; and DIRECT the Director of Roads and Parks Maintenance to report back regarding the status of the Emerald Ash Borer infestation and provide Council with a 2011 Action Plan in the spring 2011.
Purpose:

N/A

Address goal, action or initiative in strategic plan Establish new or revised policy or service standard Respond to legislation Respond to staff direction Address other area of responsibility

Reference to Strategic Plan:

Background:

On February 22, 2010, Council received and approved report RPM-1-10 that provided an update on the approaching Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) infestation and recommended an initial management strategy. Council also approved the following recommendation in report RPM-1-10: DIRECT the Director of Roads & Parks Maintenance to prepare and report back with a 2010 Emerald Ash Borer Action Plan in the spring 2010. This report has been prepared in response to this direction.

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Four EAB management strategy options were presented in report RPM-1-10. Option 2: Active Management was approved by Council as the option that best balances various management concerns. The Active Management strategy includes limited proactive surveying for EAB and removal of any infested public trees found, and efforts to protect some trees by injecting them with the pesticide TreeAzin.

Discussion:
2010 Activities This Action Plan provides details on 2010 activities planned for: Surveying for the insect; Tree removal and replacement; TreeAzine treatment program; and Public communications. Surveying Difficulty in Detection EAB is difficult to detect visually until a tree is well under attack and showing obvious signs of distress. A central effort of many agencies, both in the United States and Canada, has been to develop reliable methods for detecting EAB infestation. In February 2010, city forestry staff was trained by the Canadian Forest Service (CFS) on a new EAB survey protocol being developing to help detect early-stage EAB infestation. The protocol involves sampling particular limbs from potential host trees and carefully removing the bark in layers looking for signs of feeding EAB larvae under the bark. At time of writing, city staff had surveyed 19 locations with high ash density throughout the city using this protocol. One location was found to have signs of EAB, but was still to be confirmed. Staff will survey another approximately 10 sites during the remainder of 2010. Another survey method planned for 2010 is the use of EAB lures. These lures attract and trap adult EAB males in large sticky coloured boxes hanging in trees. These lures provide a simple and inexpensive alternative method to detect EAB, and provide some public awareness due to their visual impact. Approximately 12 traps will be installed throughout the city in areas of high ash density, especially near the east and west city limits, beyond which limits EAB is known to be present.

Protocol

Survey Results to Date

EAB Lures

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Tree Removal and Replacement Minimal Removals in 2010 The Active Management Strategy includes the removal and replacement of any city trees found to be infested, in addition to those which become a hazard due to EAB attack. As mentioned above, EAB is presently only suspected at one location in Burlington. As such, tree removal in 2010 due to EAB will likely be minimal. Tree replacements will only occur this year if the timing is amenable to planting. Treatment Program Limited Program The Active Management strategy also includes a limited TreeAzin treatment program for selected trees. Wide spread treatment was not recommended due to the cost and risk associated with the treatment program. It is important to emphasize the current uncertainty of a TreeAzin treatment program. The effectiveness of TreeAzin is not fully proven and injection-based treatments compromise tree health in other ways. As a result, there is no guarantee that treated trees will remain protected from EAB, or that the treatment itself will not compromise tree health. There are approximately 7,200 street and over 6,000 park ash trees that will require management by the city. Selecting which trees warrant inclusion in a treatment program is a key consideration. Based on guidelines provided by the citys EAB consultant, potential treatment candidate trees include those from 30 centimetres in diameter (measured at 1.4 metres above the ground) to 60 centimetres. As discussed in report RPM-1-10, it is more cost-effective to remove and replace trees below 30 centimetres in diameter rather than attempt to protect them through treatment. Trees over 60 centimetres in diameter are typically approaching overmaturity for ash. There is a higher probability that trees of this age will lack the vigour necessary to absorb and circulate the treatment effectively. Treatment Focus The TreeAzin treatment program will focus on sections of residential city streets that will be particularly impacted by EAB, due to a mature ash monoculture, in an attempt to preserve

Treatment Uncertainty

Key Consideration

Potential Treatment Candidates

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RPM - 3 - 10 some canopy and character of the neighbourhood. Preserving trees on these streets, if successful, will also retain the greatest associated environmental benefits. While areas with smaller ash monoculture will also be impacted by EAB, the existing canopy will recover more quickly to its current state.

Identified Street Segments

Based on detailed analysis of the citys tree inventory, 25 residential street segments have been identified as having a significant mature ash monoculture. These segments are presented in Appendix A. The potential treatment candidate trees on the identified segments total approximately 500. Not all potential candidate trees within a given treatment site will receive treatment. For the treatment to be effective, individual tree subjects must be: In a healthy condition and structurally sound to warrant the ongoing investment of a multi-year treatment program; Of sufficient vigour to absorb and circulate the pesticide; and Be free of injuries or deformations that could interfere with treatment. General health and structural condition of candidate trees will be evaluated using the International Society of Arboricultures industry recognized rating system. Only trees found to be in good or excellent condition will be considered for treatment. In report RPM-1-10, it was estimated that 250 trees would receive treatment. It is estimated that an average of 60%, or approximately 300 trees, will be found to be suitable for treatment within the identified road segments. The number of trees may be modified based on unit pricing received through the tender process.

Individual Candidate Trees

Extent of Future Treatments

The manufacturer of TreeAzin recommends that trees are treated every two years. The extent of future treatments will be evaluated by staff as information becomes available on both the performance of TreeAzin and on the infestation. Any changes recommended will be discussed in the 2011 Action Plan. During the Budget & Corporate Services meeting held on February 9, 2010, an inquiry was made about the potential for the city to extend potential volume savings for TreeAzin

Extend Volume Savings to Residents

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RPM - 3 - 10 treatments to residents. This approach is not recommend as: It may appear to endorse an uncertain treatment; The city lacks resources to manage resident/contractor disputes; and It may set a precedent for extending other city purchasing benefits to residents. Staff will advise residents of local providers of this service through the communications program.

Financial Matters:
The estimated multi-year funding requirement for the Active Management Strategy was provided in report RPM-1-10. The funds for 2010 EAB activities are provided for within the approved 2010 Capital Budget (account MP0015). Although this report estimates the treatment of 50 trees more than originally proposed, the additional associated cost is offset by reduced cost estimates for tree removal and replacements in 2010.

Environmental Matters:
The environmental implications of an EAB infestation and of TreeAzin were discussed in report RPM-1-10.

Communication Matters:
Objectives Inform all Residents The first objective of the EAB communication plan for 2010 is to provide residents with information regarding: The EAB infestation and the effect it will have on Burlington; Options for the resident management of private ash trees on their properties; and The citys plan to manage the impact of EAB on public trees. Awareness for Treatment Areas The second objective is to provide residents within areas targeted for TreeAzine treatment: With information on what actions the city will be taking in their neighbourhood, and To provide residents with an opportunity to ask questions.

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Strategy & Tactics Website A web page will be developed on www.burlington.ca to provide comprehensive information on EAB and the citys Active Management Strategy. A button will be placed on the burlington.ca homepage linking the homepage directly with the EAB information. An article on EAB and the citys strategy for managing the infestation will be included in the Summer 2010 issue of City Talk. Media releases will be used to provide information on the citys program for managing EAB, as well as, to provide information on public information meetings and other public education forums. Advertisements will be placed in the City Update section of the Burlington Post to inform residents about EAB and the citys management plan. Advertisements will focus on the following: Announcement of the launch of the EAB web page; and General information on EAB that directs residents to the website for more information. EAB Target Neighbourhood Mailer and Meeting A neighbourhood mailer will be developed and delivered directly to residents abutting road segments that are targeted for treatment. The focus of this mailer will be to: Advise residents that treatment will take place; Provide a timeline for the treatment program; Invite residents to an information meeting that will provide further information on the treatment program; and Direct residents to the website for inquiries or further information.

City Talk

Media Relations

Advertising

Conclusion:
This report provides a 2010 EAB action plan consistent with the Council-approved Active Management Strategy. Sufficient funds are available within the appropriate account to fund the activities detailed.

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Respectfully submitted,

Mark Covert Manager of Program Development 905-333-6141, ext. 6141

Rick Lipsitt City Forester 905-333-6145, ext. 6145

Appendices: Notifications: (after Council decision)

A. Proposed Treatment Street Segments Name Mailing or E-mail Address

Approvals: *required

*Department Head

City Treasurer

General Manager

City Manager

To be completed by the Clerks Department

Committee Disposition & Comments 01-Approved 02-Not Approved 03-Amended 04-Referred 06-Received & Filed 07-Withdrawn Council Disposition & Comments 01-Approved 02-Not Approved 03-Amended 04-Referred 06-Received & Filed 07-Withdrawn