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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCSD-08-042 - Street Tree Inventory & Emerald Ash Borer Update ) R Community Services Report To: Date of Meeting: Submitted By: Community Services Committee May 26, 2008 Prepared By: Jim Witmer Director of Operations David Schmitt, Environmental & Urban Forest Project Manager (Ext. 2891) All Ward(s) Involved: Date of Report: Report No.: Subject: April 24, 2008 CSD-08-042 STREET TREE INVENTORY & EMERALD ASH BORER - UPDATE RECOMMENDATION: For Information. BACKGROUND: Street Tree Inventorv In 2005 Council approved $205,000 dollars in capital funding for Community Services (CS) to carry out an inventory of all City street trees. The purpose of the inventory was to allow CS to better manage this valuable resource. This report provides an update on this project and identifies how this information will be used once collected. Emerald Ash Borer In 2005 staff presented a report to Community Services Committee (CSD-05-072) regarding the increasing concern about the threat of a number of quarantined tree pests, including the Emerald Ash Borer. Since that time, the Emerald Ash Borer has spread far beyond the original quarantined zone. This report provides an update on this issue and its potential impact on City resources. REPORT: Street Tree Inventorv The planting of trees along residential streets on city property is a long standing practice and policy of the City. Because of these practices the total street tree population has grown significantly, and in older parts of the city these big, old trees (some 75 to 100 years in age) have become a valuable and irreplaceable resource. Unlike other types of infrastructure, trees, Report No: CSD-08-042 2 which are a key part of the City's green infrastructure, increase in value as they age. To manage and protect this long living resource there is the need for long term planning and management. Carrying out a city-wide street tree inventory is the first step in this larger process. Working with the City's GIS Section, an in house tree inventory program has been developed. Over the last ten years CS and GIS have worked together to develop a number of GIS applications for urban forestry. From this experience the existing software was updated and field tested during the summer of 2007. The new tree inventory program was recently showcased at a GIS conference in London. Using powerful data collection tools, staff collects information on each tree within a GIS based environment. The system automatically assigns each tree a unique serial number, along with identifying its geographic location. Data collection forms allow for the recording of fixed attribute information (e.g. species, street, location), and the on-going collection of information that changes through the tree's Iifecycle (e.g. diameter, health condition, structure condition, maintenance). All tree attribute information is collected using current urban forestry \ arboriculture standards and best management practices. The system, which is linked to the City's corporate database, ensures that collected data is downloaded and updated on a daily basis. Data from the tree inventory can be shown using GIS tools and through Onpoint. Once the City's new infrastructure management system is implemented (CityWorks) the tree inventory and work order system will be linked. The data from the tree inventory will also be used for the following processes: asset management urban forestry strategy street tree management plans master street tree plans tree maintenance risk management long term operating and capital funding tree protection, road reconstruction projects by-law and policy development monitoring of quarantined tree pest threats cost-benefit analysis urban forestry stewardship education Two urban forest technologists (1 internal transfer from Forestry, 1 contract position) were hired on contracts to carry out the field data collection. After the initial stages of field testing, full time data collection started in early fall of 2007. In this short field season 7000 trees were inventoried. This included extensive test plots throughout the City and completion of tree inventories in four parts of the City (Downtown Districts, Westmount and Forest Hill Neighbourhood Associations, Rockway Gardens). Public interest in this project has been high. Last fall a presentation was made to a large group of residents from the Westmount NA. This presentation provided them with information about their street trees, and addressed their specific concern regarding the problems of mature tree decline that is occurring along their residential streets. Other Neighbourhood Associations have also indicated an interest in having information presented to them once the field data has been collected. Report No: CSD-08-042 3 The planting of trees in cities goes back to the Roman Times. During the industrial revolution tree planting was seen as a means of cleaning up the dirty city from industrial pollution. Today there is extensive scientific research that shows the economic, social and environmental benefits that trees and the larger urban forest provides to the community. Economic benefits of tree lined streets and commercial districts include improved business opportunities and higher property values. Social research shows trees and green space improves the livability and health of cities (e.g. reduction of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) symptoms, reduction in aggression, violence and crime, improved social interaction). Trees and the urban forest build stronger neighborhoods and are directly related to improving the livability and health of a city. A recent UFORE (Urban Forest Effects Model) study in the Town of Oakville found that the town's urban forest plays an important role in improving local air quality. Findings from their study found that the urban forest sequestered 6,000 tonnes of carbon per year, filtered 22,000 tonnes of C02, removed 172 tonnes of critical pollutants for a value of 1.12 million dollars, and provided $840,000 in energy savings. A STRATUM (Street Tree Resource Tool for Urban Forest Managers) study in Minneapolis, Minnesota found that the environmental and esthetic benefits of trees (e.g. energy savings, storm water run-off reduction, cleaner air, higher property values) were on average three times greater than tree care costs. The use of UFORE (Oakville, Toronto, Calgary) and STRATUM has become standard practice for communities in the United States and Canada that want to quantify the benefits of the urban forest. It is also the first step in developing an urban forestry strategy for a community. Today, the results of scientifically based UFORE and STRATUM studies, and new research in urban forestry are changing the way communities see their trees and urban forest. Rather than being seen as a soft service and a potential drain on a city's resources (e.g. leaf collection programs) the city's trees are being seen as a vital part of a healthy community, and playing a key role in local issues such as air quality, and quality of life. Recognizing that the benefits of trees is directly related to tree size there is a greater focus on protecting the communities largest and oldest trees - the trees that provide the greatest benefits. Tree planting is seen as an action that will benefit future generations as these trees increase in size. There is also the growing recognition that these new tree plantings will only become big trees if adequate and quality soil habitat for the roots is provided. Research tells us that if we want certain benefits from trees (e.g. air quality, carbon storage) we need to select specific tree species because all trees are not equal when it comes to benefits. Urban forestry and the communities using these tools are moving into a new era. Once Kitchener completes its street tree inventory it will be in a position to run STRATUM on its street trees, and it has the opportunity to become one of the first municipalities in Ontario to use STRATUM. This process will allow the City to do a complete cost-benefit analysis of its street trees, and to start the process of managing this valuable and long living resource that provides significant benefits to the community. Emerald Ash Borer Since the last report to CSC in 2005, the status of the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB), a quarantined tree pest regulated by the Federal Canadian Food Inspection Agency, has changed significantly. In 2006 EAB was confirmed within the city limits of London, and in 2007 it was found in the City of Toronto. This tree pest is spreading at a much faster rate than was originally expected, and the recent find in Toronto is alarming. It is possible that EAB is already in this area, and, if not, it is expected to be here within the next few years. Emerald Ash Borer, an introduced tree pest, affects all ash trees including White and Green ash - two trees common to this area. Once attacked, trees die within a few years and where ash is Report No: CSD-08-042 4 the dominate tree catastrophic tree loss can occur. At this time, there is no effective control measure for this pest. Some chemical solutions are showing promise, although the cost of such experimental programs on a city wide basis would be very high. While this pest is regulated by the Federal Government there has been very little financial support from the Federal or Provincial Government to municipalities that are affected. The lack of action by both governments is forcing municipalities to bear the full costs of tree removals and sanitation on their lands, along with responsibilities to address the issue of private yard waste from EAB infected trees that cannot be moved outside of the quarantined areas. In the City of London the cost to address the issue of managing\storing private yard waste within federal quarantine zones is costing the City $500,000 annually. There is also very little support for reforestation efforts from either government. Recognizing the problems other municipalities have faced, it is expected that the City of Kitchener will also be forced to bear considerable costs at the time that this area is affected, unless there are significant changes to the Federal Government's current practices. Staff continues to monitor the situation and plans to develop an EAB strategy through the summer are on-going. The tree inventory project currently being carried out will assist the City in monitoring this issue. All ash trees that are inventoried are being assessed, and can be flagged if they are showing signs of decline. Staff is also in regular contact with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and Ontario Ministry of Natural Resource. FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS: Street Tree Inventory Approved capital funding will cover the costs of completing the tree inventory. The next steps in this larger process (e.g. STRATUM Analysis, Urban Forestry Strategy, Street Tree Management Plans) will require new capital funding. Requests for this funding will be made during the 2009 capital process. Some other funding opportunities may also exist to support these new projects (e.g. LEAF, Streets Tree Canada). Emerald Ash Borer There are no financial implications at this time. However, based on the experience of other municipalities, it is expected that there will be significant financial implications and costs once Emerald Ash Borer is confirmed in the City. The lack of financial support from the federal and provincial governments further complicates this issue. COMMUNICATIONS: Staff continues to work with Communications on both of these issues. The 2007 summer issue of Your Kitchener contained an article on the street tree inventory. Additional communication efforts regarding the tree inventory are planned as the project moves forward. Jim Witmer Director of Operations David Schmitt Environmental & Urban Forest Project Manager