Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutOPD-008-16Operations Department Report If this information is required in an alternate accessible format, please contact the Municipal Clerk at 905-623-3379 ext. 2102. By-law Number: Report To: General Government Committee Date of Meeting: September 26, 2016 Report Number: OPD-008-16 File Number: Report Subject: Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) Update Recommendations: 1.That Report OPD-008-16 be received for information; Municipality of Clarington Report OPD-008-16 Page 2 Report Overview The purpose of this report is to provide Council with an update on the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) Beetle infestation. The report will outline the status of removals to date and a time line for the remaining removals and replacements of all Ash trees infested with EAB on Municipal property. 1. Background The 2013 tree inventory completed in the urban areas of Clarington indicated there were 2,466 Ash trees. Attachment #1 show the locations of all boulevard ash trees, and removals and replacements to date. Since that time there has been four types of removals of Ash from the boulevards 1. The Ice storm of 2013 accounted for 242 Ash tree removals and all trees were replaced, which reduced the number of Ash to 2224. 2. Approval was given in 2014 through a contract to remove an additional 237 boulevard Ash trees, and all trees were replaced, which reduced the n umber of remaining Ash to 1987. 3. Approval was also provided for a contract in 2015/16 to remove and stump an additional 205 boulevard trees (and 618 in greenspaces due to close proximity to private properties) but these have not been replaced reducing the number of Ash to 1782. 4. Municipal staff have also been removing infested trees. Staff leave a notice including a tree selection (attachment #2) and have removed 203 additional Ash trees, reducing the number of Ash to 1579. Note that the tree inventory number does not include trees on rural roads, Parks and greenspaces, and have not had exact numbers determined. Due to the fact that removals in many of these areas will require specialized training for removal due to potential damage to private property and the requirement for climbing these would have to be contracted out in the next two years. The effect on Ash trees that die due to EAB infestation are that they become extremely brittle and require quick removal to avoid the risk of failure. 1.2 Removals With the current rate of removals it is estimated that staff will be able to remove an additional 300 trees this year, bringing the total down to less than 1300 remaining Ash trees on residential boulevards. Based on existing resources, and current budget allocation, staff will be able to remove the remaining affected boulevard trees by mid-2019. Following the removals on boulevards, removals will take place in Parks, greenspaces, and rural roads, subject to Council direction in the Budget. Municipality of Clarington Report OPD-008-16 Page 3 Removals will be done in the following order;  2016 to 2017: south of Highway 2 in Courtice  2017: north of Highway 2 in Courtice  2018: Bowmanville south of Highway 2 then north of Highway 2  2019: Newcastle and hamlets It is estimated that approx. 10% of the 100 remaining Ash trees on residential boulevards will require a contractor with specialized training in hazard tree removal or working near energized conductors. Municipal crews have concentrated on removals in the west end of Clarington first due to the large amount of Ash tree concentration and because this was the first area to fail due to the effects of the insect. However if larger Ash trees in other areas of Clarington become safety hazards, staff may have to attend to them on a priority basis . It is estimated that staff have investigated 500 Ash tree concerns from residents over the past 7 months. 1.3 Replacement and stumping program The next phase of the replacement program will begin this fall. Based on current budget allocation, approximately 350 trees will be replaced. The replacement program will continue based on resources available annually until all Ash trees are replaced by the end of 2020 in the following order similar to the removal program; 2017: south of Highway 2 in Courtice 2018: north of Highway 2 in Courtice 2019: Bowmanville 2020: Newcastle and hamlets 1.4 Normal Forestry Activities Due to fact that Municipal resources are concentrating on the removal of ash trees, Operations staff will not be able to respond to less critical forestry tree requests such as block pruning, horticultural bed maintenance and greenspace tree maintenance. Only emergency and safety requests will be completed on a priority basis 2. Strategic Plan Application Not applicable. Submitted by: Reviewed by: Frederick J. Horvath Curry Clifford, MPA, CMO B.A., R.D.M.R., R.R.F.A. Interim CAO Director of Operations Staff Contact: Robert Genosko, 905-263-2291 ext. 531 There are no interested parties to be notified of Council’s decision.