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HomeMy WebLinkAboutINS-14-054 - Emerald Ash Borer Program Update Staff Rep►�►r I r Infrastruc�ture5ervrresDepartment wvwuukitchenerra REPORT TO: Community & Infrastructure Services Committee DATE OF MEETING: May 12, 2014 SUBMITTED BY: Jim Witmer, Director of Operations, (741-2600, ext. 4657) PREPARED BY: Dan Ritz, Supervisor Design & Development, (ext. 4348) Lindsay Button, Urban Forest Technologist, (ext. 4181) WARD(S) INVOLVED: All DATE OF REPORT: April 25, 2014 REPORT NO.: INS-14-054 SUBJECT: Emerald Ash Borer Program Update RECOMMENDATION: That no action be taken in dividing the remaining balance of the $320,000 LEAF funding between Ward 6 and Ward 4, and that staff be directed to continue with stumping and replanting based on the current practice of trees first removed —first replanted, and That staff be directed to bring forward an issue paper during the 2015-2024 capital budget process outlining an Emerald Ash Borer replanting & stumping program for remaining ash trees; and further, That staff be directed to implement a Tree Donation Program to provide supporting funding for the reforestation of the City of Kitchener's urban forest canopy based on the principles identified in the report. BACKGROUND: On March 31, 2014 staff was requested to report back to Council on the following resolutions: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that Item 117 (Operations — Emerald Ash Borer) on the 2014-2016 Business Plan approved at the January 30, 2014 special Council meeting (Final Budget Day), be amended to give priority in 2014 to the completion of tree stumping and replanting in areas where boulevard trees have already been cut; and BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that Clause 17 of the Finance & Corporate Services Committee report approved at the January 17, 2013 special Council meeting (Final Budget Day), be amended to indicate that the remaining balance of the $320,000 LEAF allocation to deal with EAB could be divided between Ward 6 and Ward 4. Impact of Emerald Ash Borer EAB was discovered in Kitchener in 2010 and continues to expand quickly across the city and is confirmed in all ten wards. More than 5,000 (82%) of untreated ash trees along streets and in 13 - 1 active parkland will be dead by 2017. The rapid progress of EAB and tree mortality is shown in Figure 1. Although the winter was much colder than the normal seasonal temperatures it was still insufficient to cause any significant impact to the emerald ash borer. Figure 1 — Projected ash tree mortality on city streets and active parkland 1400 . .e.............................. _ 1200 I 40 10100 W W W W s W W W W W 300 600 410 m m 200 .1_. . �., .........., a.,..... 0 2013 2014 2015 2010 201w7 2018. 2019 1020 21021 2022 Budget Highlights Affecting Emerald Ash Borer In 2013, Council approved $4.3M in the 10 year capital forecast from the Gas Investment Reserve Fund to remove or inject ash trees along city streets and in active parkland. Previously, $175,000 was approved in 2012 to develop an urban forestry strategy with respect to the development of EAB in Kitchener. Additional funding of $0.32M in 2013 from the Local Environmental Action Fund (LEAF) was approved for the initial stage of reforestation of the ash tree canopy, the remaining $6.43M budget for tree planting is currently not funded. Figure 2—Total Emerald Ash Borer Budget Impact 2012 12013 12014 12015 12016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 TOTAL BUDGET SUPPORTED (approved funding) Tree Removals& 175 2 350 3 700 3 750 3 750 3 700 3 400 3 300 3 200 3 100 3 50 3 4,475 Tree Injections Stumping&Tree 320 4 320 Planting NOT BUDGETED (no funding) Stumping&Tree Planting 1030 1350 1350 1350 1350 TOTAL EMERALD ASH BORER BUDGET IMPACT Total EAB Impact 175 670 700 750 750 700 1430 '1650 1550 1450 1400 Notes: 1.Amounts show in 000's(thousands) 2. $175,000 added in 2012 for the initial planning and investigation of EAB 3. Gas Investment Reserve Fund allocation for EAB tree removal&tree injections 4. $320,000(LEAF Funding) added to 2013 for stumping&planting 5. Potential funding option to be approved in future budget deliberations 8 — 2 REPORT: Emerald Ash Borer Work Programs There are approximately 6,000 ash trees along residential streets and in city parks. On city streets, ash accounts for about 10 percent of the city street trees, and about 13 percent of the trees in parks. As Emerald Ash Borer continues to rapidly spread across the city, staff continues to implement an adaptive approach to the management of EAB. These plans must be flexible and reviewed yearly acknowledging the following key objectives: • minimize the risks and financial costs by removing hazardous trees • protect part of the mature tree canopy by using chemical injections • put a sustainable replanting plan in place This adaptive EAB management plan includes the following work priorities: 1. Management& Monitoring the Spread of EAB -Priority 1 a 2. Removal of Hazardous Ash Trees -Priority 1 b 3. Protection of Ash Trees through Chemical Injections -Priority 1 c 4. Stumping of Ash Trees -Priority 2a 5. Replacement Planting of the Tree Canopy -Priority 2b 6. Street Tree Donation Program -Priority 3 Figure 3 below outlines the work program completed throughout 2012 and 2013. Removal of ash trees and tree stumping was accomplished by city Operation's crews during the winter months. At the moment there is insufficient data to establish trends on the actual costs of the tree removals due to the variability of the sizes of ash trees in the planning communities. Budget allocations going forward will be reviewed during the annual capital budget deliberations and adjusted accordingly if required. Chemical injection for the preservation of Ash trees is performed on a two year cycle and was performed by a qualified contractor. Figure 3— EAB Work Program Completed (2012 & 2013) LOCATION WORK PROGRAM (2012-13) Planning PARTICULARS COST Community 1. Management & Monitoring City Wide Monitoring of EAB, Ash Tree $180,000 Assessment, EAB Strategy 2. Removal of Ash Trees 26 43 46 53 668 Trees Removed (city crews) $240,000 3. Protection of Ash Trees City Wide 700 Trees Chemically Injected $150,000 (2-year cycle) 4. Stumping of Ash Trees 42 43 46 53 384 Trees Stumped (city crews) $30,000 (2012-13) TOTAL $600,000 8 - 3 Figure 4 below outlines the work program for 2014. Ash tree removals are proposed by city Operation's crews in the winter months. Due to the seasonal workload restrictions tree stumping will be performed by a qualified contractor during the summer of 2014. The re-planting program will begin in 2014 with most planting occurring in fall after completion of the stump removals. It is anticipated that all trees removed in 2013 will be replanted through the current stumping & replanting budget allocation on a first removed, first replanted practice. Trees removed in 2014 and beyond will be replanted as capital budget is made available and are tentatively forecasted for 2018-2022. Work programs beyond 2014 will be reviewed and developed annually subject to available funding. Figure 4— EAB Work Program (2014) LOCATION COST WORK PROGRAM (2014) Planning PARTICULARS Community Projected 1. Management & Monitoring City Wide Monitoring of EAB, Work Plan $50,000 Development 2. Removal of Ash Trees 18 27 38 39 645 Trees Removed $400,000 3. Protection of Ash Trees City Wide 700 trees to be Chemically $175,000 Injected (2-year cycle) 4. Stumping of Ash Trees 26 42434653 Stumping of 633 trees (contract) $70,000 5. Replacement Planting 26 42434653 668 trees for Fall Planting $250,000 6. Tree Donation Program City Wide Development of Program TBD (2014) TOTAL $945,000 1. Management& Monitoring the Spread of EAB The city's Emerald Ash Borer web page is regularly updated to keep residents informed of the spread of EAB and the actions the city is undertaking. The city continues to provide updates to the community on this issue through the city website and social media, and through letters to property owners who will be directly affected. The website provides the most up to date information. With ongoing monitoring (traps, branch sampling) the city has been able to track the rapid spread of EAB. Using this information the city's urban forestry staff has kept pace with a situation that continues to change. Work plans remain flexible and are reviewed annually. 8 - 4 2. Removal of Hazardous Ash Trees The removal of ash trees began in 2013. 668 ash trees were removed in 2013 (planning communities 42, 43, 46, 53 & 26) and another 645 trees are planned for removal in 2014 (planning communities 18, 27, 38, & 39). Some of the 2014 tree removals were completed earlier this winter. Future tree removal projections are shown below in figure 5 and are based on communities first impacted by EAB. Total removals per year are allocated by available annual capital funding, taking into consideration the quantity and size of ash trees in each planning community. Figure 5—Ash Tree Removal Plan by Planning Community N Planning Community Tree W�/� +�� 1 CITY COMMORCIALCORE Ash Tr ee Removal 2 CIVIC CENTRE 46 KING EAS°I PlanPlan, 4 CEDAR(HILL 11 5 MILL COURTILAND WOODSIDE PARK. n 5 ST MARYS HOSPITAL �iuW 7 VIC IOIpIA PARK N q M"H' S CHERRY HILL 47 31 mW'me ©KW HOSPITAL P MT HOPE HURON PARK 32 �/ FAIR PIELD 12 NGRrHWARD 12 33 13 CENTRAL FREDERICK 14 AUDITORIUM H,Na"' 14ih?d'Cv'Lt* i�� H ,"-u� 6,6 RGCKWAY 1� 13 22 23 'H, A 17 R7UTHOAE Ppwi '� „1&MEIN7INGER PARK LAN4E9tli)F: ii0§11W� H 19 FOREST HALL 21 HH"°u* 114 H"'" 'O 34 4� H 20 VICTORIAHILLS 7 4`NNI1,V L< "i�1F1IR I.)2 MINI 21,V ESTMOUNT 15 24 22,ROSEMOUNir H,mi� H 2p ��nx _ 23 HER RAGE PARK rtW W H WI p 67 5 �yy�N� '24,STANLEY PARK 25,VAN ER � d 1 ' 2E ALPINE 35 /p �^ 27 LAUREN TIAN IaILLS 25 28 WE,LAURENTIAN EST 29,FOREST HEIGHTS 90,HIGHLAND WEST H 29 H 21,eRtlDOevOnr EAST FuiWH3m 50 .�.FY �nnimin 32,V1CTORIANORTH iyypma" 34,GRAND RIVER NORTH. H 37 4q s4 CLEWGGU N 2g 41 3s cENIREYULECHICOPeE 36, HIDDEN I VALLPY I H' 37,TRILIJUJI ml NDUSTIRIAL PARK ^� 44 38.CGu NTRY HILLS 39,COUNTRY HILLS WEST 54 PIONCCR TQV[R[AST °'�IfAl ry �1J 41,PIONCER TOWER WEST Ward 42,PIONEER PARiK Ward 51 �� 55 43 LOWER DOOM Removal Year II as,SGtLTH PL,AUws D Not Applicable q+g+q'� 49 DOON SOUTH 2013 47,HRODGEPORT WEST 48,9RtlDGEPORT NORTH 2014 45 52 49,GRAND RIVER SCOTT 2015 50 COUNTRY HILLS EAST 51.TRUSSLER� 2016wmu""H"' H�ew 52,DUNDEE =2017 53,HRIGADO©N NA ��. ,.......:sa,RasENeERG 2018 2 1 0 2 55,HURON SOUTH Morrietem 3. Protection of Ash Trees through Chemical Infections Using chemical injections, the city plans to protect about 20 percent (1,300) of the ash trees on city streets and parks. This work is focused on streets that have high numbers of ash trees and trees that are not currently infected and in decline. Chemical injections last for two years and then must be repeated on a two year cycle. 8 - 5 Figure 6-Ash Tree Injection Density by Planning Community N, Ash /!�/!� *' Planning)Community Tree Injection 111,CITYC ENUERCIIAi.CORE 17,KIN CIVIC CENTRE 48 J'�.KING EAST Density I 14.CIE AS HILL I1 5,MILG..GOURTIAND WOODSIIDE EARN 16,S't.MARYS HOSPITAL. % I 17,VICTORIA(PARK. �iAyamaH u I 18,CHERRY HILL P � iErvH'K JS KIM HHOSPITAL, I 1P Ml'.HOPE HURON PARK ,� I 111,FAIRFIELD 712,NORTHWARD 12 "r j` 113,CENTRAL FREDERICK 14,AUDITORIUM C 11 5,EASTWOOD � '" 10 22 [15, I16,ROCKWAY 13 117,sou rHDALP ry I 170,MEINZINCER PARK-LAKESIDE �191fIN 49 ]19 FOREST HILII 2 ._ g 14 120 VICTORIA HULLS 7 C1 �4�llN 7 4 A RDMUW7 I 127,WESTMOUNT H' I 23 177,RDSFMOUNT 15'11I 5 p�M'ryM. 1 124,STANLEY PARK I 125,VANIER 30 V� 1 176,ALPINE 1pu� V, 1� 1011 � M I 147,LATREN9IAN HILi.S D., Y I� �� I 129,LATRENTIAN WEST �" I °41, I 29% 126,FOREST HEIGHTS ,� Il 1 .r. I 2p,HIGHLAND WEST p 50 36 H I 13,1 PRI[DGEPONT EAST 1111 3'47 "mow 132,VICTORIA NORTH 'a'pl �j �,,y 133 PEA ND ROVER NURTH 37 0 J34IDLPWOOD tI 28 41 �� I 1aa 'ENTREVILLECHIICOPEE OOfn,. 1,,,, 36 HIDDFNVA.I.E�Y 0 I.1 37 I RILLIUM(INDUSTRIAL PARK -�' d�t1.. FMK mbNMa a. I..I99 COUNTRY HILLS +1�m"H" I 13S COUNTRY HILLS v�,EST 54 .��'�--�.. 3 :140 PIONEER TOWER EAST � AIr,D�� T' I j41,PIONPPR TOWER WEST I 142,PIONEER PARK 55 53 I 143,LOWER HOOK „-...-- � AI rI 7i"I !„144,HURow PARK Ward, r..� I 145,sou TH(PLAINS 46 MWarel I 146,Doow soulTH #Trees to be injected 1 tar,DRIOOEPORT WEST L 0 45 52 " µ a I ]49GRIADNDRVERSOUTH ,�,wvww'P""'"" ( '156,COUNTRY HILLS EAST 1_�� �HH".,. � I 151,TPFY55LER VDT 51-100 52,DUNDEE i��ew 'HP� 1 153,ERI'GADOON MM 1D1-15f1 "� � 54,POSeNIERc >156 2 1 a 2 55,HURON SOUTH KilnlrmetPVa 4. Stumping of Ash Trees Stumping of Ash trees began in 2013 on the first trees removed, with 384 stumps removed by city crews during the winter season. Stumping of an additional 633 ash trees will be undertaken by a qualified contractor in 2014. Stumping on trees removed later in 2014 and future tree removals is not currently funded. 5. Replacement Planting of the Tree Canopy All replanting will be guided by a master tree planting plan which focuses on maximizing community benefits by replanting the urban forest with large canopy trees where practical and ensuring a diverse species. Based on existing service levels, it can take up to two years for a tree that is removed, to be stumped and replanted based on a first removed, first replanted practice (subject to available funding). The first 668 ash tree replacements are expected to occur in the fall of 2014 for trees removed in 2013 (planning communities 42, 43, 46, 53 & 26) utilizing funds previously allocated in 2013 from LEAF. 8 - 6 Planting of trees beyond 2014 is currently not funded and will be subject to future approved capital budgets. Staff will develop an issue paper and a proposed work plan for inclusion in the 2015-2024 capital budget process to address the shortfall. Figure 7—Stumping & Replanting Plan by Planning Community N ` Planning Community Stumping /1 2"CIVICCENTRRCIA.raR I 17.CuWla 4'EMTRE. Replanting Plan 4 21 ,CEDAR IL I A. ,CEDAR WILL I H I 15 MIL.I..GOV)RTL.AN7 WC7DU5IPE PIIRK 6 $I MARYSHGSPITAL manmm�u I 17,VICTORIA PARK YH iry 3.CHERRY HILL 4 """"rarvumwa mY �" 1 R KW HOSPI TAL I 110 ME HOPE IIIURON PARK. °pN � 32 I Ill FAIRFIELD "112 NORTHWARD 1, 11 12 33 115 DIN IRALFRED'ERICK 114,AUDITORIUM 155 EASTWO0 Lot 10 2 6 23 r 1,5,ROCKWAY 1 3ri'AXB'"' E^'"E I 117,SOUTFCALE itlt taco I I 110 FORE 1NGER PARK d.AKE5IDE. mcu tc'� m 19,F-0RFOr Hll..u.. J rrlFOlq 14 IIp ',01," 4 12b,vICTCRIAHILLS, etltNaRlt R,D"2 121,WE5TMOUNT tctN 15 '.. +� I 1.72,ROSEMOUNT T, 14t I 12'.0,HERITAGE PARK I 124,STANLEY PARK 1 125,VANIER. 1,ALPINE III IIII;p, oI111uu�u1 �� uu u I 12'Y,LAUREN 3I AN I°I I LLS ® 1 t Y iop111111VVVVVVVVVV I 120,LAUREN IAN WEST 1 129,FOREST HEIGHTS 130,HIGHLAND WESTT 50 I 131,BRIDGEPORII EAST H "H�aaiw a 2 VICTORIA NORTH 40 133,GRAND RIVER NORTH I,,.134,IDLEWOOD I .:135,CENTREVILLE CHIC'OPEE 11 HIDDEN VA11EY I37,1RILLIUM IINDUST'RIAL PARK 130,COUNTRY HILLS r I 139 COUNTRY WEST C^ I 40 IO NFFR TOWER F AST V1 I 141,PIONEER2 TOWER WEST Ward 51 ` 42,PIONEER PARK We rd 55 43 LOV4 EROCON I 144, HURON PARK Stumping/Replanting Plan 45,SOUTH PLAINS. O Not Applicable 45,LOGIN SOUTH 2014 47,BRIDGEPORT IVES I 140,BRIDGEPORT MCRTH 2018 45 52 I 149,GRAND RIVER SOUTH 2019 150,COUNTRY HILLS EAST INN ' I ,151,TRIUSSLER 1 2020 I 152,DUNDEE MANN 2021 dx 59,11 s4,ROSENBERG 2022 2 1 0 2 I ::55,HURON SOUTH Kihym�tlers 6. Tree Donation Program Staff is currently developing a tree donation program that could entail one or both of the following principles: • Donations to the urban forest, not specifically to a city address or home. The city would issue a charitable receipt for the donation. All donations received would be put towards city-wide priority street and park tree planting (not to a specific address or request). Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) does not permit a direct benefit to an individual for a charitable donation. • Contribution to a tree at a location specified by the resident. No charitable receipt would be issued due to CRA restrictions. Contribution and location would be included in the next cycle of tree planting tenders (spring or fall). The Tree Donation Program will require additional Finance staff time to administer donation receipts and Operations staff time to coordinate specific tree planting requests. 8 — 7 ALIGNMENT WITH CITY OF KITCHENER STRATEGIC PLAN: The importance of Kitchener's urban forest is recognized in a number of the City's strategic 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 FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS: Ash tree removals and injections proposed for 2014-2023 will be completed using currently identified 10-year capital funding in the amount of$3,950,000. Tree replanting and stumping for planning communities 42, 43, 46, 53, & 26 will be completed using previously approved 2013 capital funding in the amount of$320,000. This plan represents and reflects the removals completed in 2013 and is consistent with the overall operational practice which sees the stumping and replanting of trees occurring 12 — 24 months from removal and the practice of first removed, first replanted. It is not recommended to alter the proposed planting plan and divide the current funding to plant trees in planning communities where trees were removed this year (2014) ahead of or to the detriment of trees removed last year (2013), for planning communities (42, 43, 46, 53, & 26) that we have committed to and have already been waiting for their tree to be replanted. Stumping for trees removed in early 2014 (planning communities 18, 27, 38 and 39) will be included in the 2014 stumping contract utilizing existing 2013 capital funding (LEAF $320,000). The current budget allocation does not allow for replanting of these planning communities (18, 27, 38 and 39). Tree replanting and stumping beyond 2014 remains unfunded. Staff will develop a capital budget issue paper for the 2015-2024 capital budget process to request additional funding for the unfunded portion of the replanting and stumping program. Staff is also working with the Finance Department to create a Tree Donation Program 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 and mail notifications have been available and provided to affected residents. The purpose of these meetings and notifications was to provide an update regarding the status of EAB in Kitchener and the community, and to discuss work completed and work outstanding. Tree replanting and opportunities for community stewardship were also discussed. These presentations were made available on the web after the meetings for residents who were unable to attend. ACKNOWLEDGED BY: Pauline Houston, Deputy CAO, Infrastructure Services Department