HomeMy WebLinkAboutINS-13-104 - Emerald Ash Borer Update
REPORT TO:
Community & Infrastructure Services Committee
DATE OF MEETING:
November 18, 2013
SUBMITTED BY:
Jim Witmer, Director of Operations, (741-2600, ext. 4657)
PREPARED BY:
Lindsay Button, Urban Forest Technologist, (741-2600, ext.
4181)
WARD(S) INVOLVED:
All
DATE OF REPORT:
November 4, 2013
REPORT NO.:
INS-13-104
SUBJECT:
Emerald Ash Borer Update
RECOMMENDATION:
For information only.
BACKGROUND:
Since Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) was confirmed in Windsor (2002), staff has continued to inform
council about this destructive tree pest.EAB was discovered in Kitchener in 2010. EAB
continues to expand quickly across the city and is now confirmed in 9 .
Recognizing the biology of this species, staff believes EAB is now present across the city and
more than 5,000 (82%) of untreated ash trees along streets and in active parkland will be dead
by 2017. The rapid progress of EAB and tree mortality is shown in Figure 1.
Figure 1 Projected ash tree mortality on city streets and active parkland
Funding to address the removal or injection of these trees has been previously identified in the
ten year capital forecast as follows:
2014201520162017201820192020202120222023Totals
EAB-7007507507004003002001005003950
Removals/Injections
Note: In 2013, $350 000 was approved for Removal/Injections and $320,000 for Planting/ Stumping
IF 1 - 1
REPORT:
The EAB work program in 2013 included the removal of 600 ash trees in Ward 4, 90 ash trees
in Ward 6, stumping of many of the removed trees, chemical injection of 800 ash trees across
the city and continued monitoring of EAB. Through ongoing monitoring, EAB has now been
confirmed in every ward except Ward 5 and although not revealed through annual monitoring to
date, it is anticipated to be present.
Work planned for 2014 includes:
Removal and stumping of over 700 trees in portions of Wards 3, 6, 8, and 9,
Over 600 trees will be chemically injected city-wide to protect them from EAB including
trees first injected in 2012 (two year cycle),
Replacement street trees will be planted in Ward 4 and tree planting will begin in Ward
6. The number of trees planted in Ward 6 will be based on remaining 2013 funding,
Limited EABmonitoring will be carried out, with a focus on Ward 5. Due to the small size
of many of these trees, it will be necessary to remove entire trees for this work.
ALIGNMENT WITH CITY OF KITCHENER STRATEGIC PLAN:
initiatives, including:
Operations Business Plan Service Priorities 2012-2014
City Asset Management Project - Urban Forest is one of 12 recognized city assets
Parks Strategic Plan (2012) - Natural Areas Theme
Strategic Plan for the Environment
Draft New Official Plan (2013)
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
Removals and injections proposed for 2014-2023 will be completed using currently identified 10-
year capital funding in the amount of $3,950,000 (refer to chart above).
Tree planting for ward 4 and part of ward 6 will be completed using previously approved 2013
capital funding in the amount of $320,000.
Tree planting and stumping beyond 2014 has not been included in the 2014-2023 capital budget
forecast and remains unfunded. Staff will come back later in 2014 to request additional funding
for the unfunded portion of planting and stumping through the 2015-2024 capital budget
process. Staff is also working with Finance to create a Charitable Donation program for street
trees to allow residents to assist in advancing tree replacements lost due to EAB.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT:
Engaging the community in stewardship and providing up to date information is a key part of
successfully administering the EAB work program. Public meetings have been held for affected
members of Ward 4 (July) and Ward 6 (October). The purpose of these meetings were to
provide an update of the status of EAB in Kitchener and their ward, andto discuss work
completed and work outstanding. Tree planting and opportunities for community stewardship
were also discussed. These presentations were available on the web after the meetings for
residents who were unable to attend.
ACKNOWLEDGED BY:
Pauline Houston, Deputy CAO, Infrastructure Services Department
IF 1 - 2