» «K r Committee of Council

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1 BRAMPTON F6" Report» «K r Committee of Council bmmpton.ca rlowgf CllV Committee of the Council of The Corporation of the City of Brampton Date: May 31,2012 COMMITTEE OF COUNCIL File: R22 date:june 13>,3.0/2 Subject: Contact: Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) - Budget Amendment Gary Linton, Manager of Central Operations, Parks - Community Services (905) Overview: This report provides a brief summary of the history and adverse environmental effects of the Emerald Ash Borer currently threatening Brampton's Ash population. The City of Brampton, Canadian Forestry Service, local conservation authorities, Region of Peel and other Peel municipalities have been working together mapping the spread of the insect in Brampton, and forming a technical working group. Various strategies have been identified to mitigate the loss of Ash trees through injections, replacements and succession planting. A comprehensive communication plan has been designed to include city wide notification, community meetings, neighbourhood mailings as well as specific education to individual residences. Exemptions to the existing Tree Preservation By-Law and providing expert staff inspections, advice and guidance on securing professional tree care assistance will further help mitigate the spread of EAB. The recommended EAB mitigation strategy is projected to cost approximately $16,000,000 over 10 years. Staff recommend an amendment to the 2012 Capital Budget in the amount of $1,138,706, to be transferred from Reserve Fund #18, in order to support and implement the EAB program. Should the proposed program remain unfunded, the Corporation can expect to experience substantial service delivery interruptions. 1. That the report from Gary Linton, Manager of Central Services - Parks, Community Services, dated May 31, 2012, to the Committee of Council meeting of June 13, 2012, re: Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) - Budget Amendment (File # R22), be received; and

2 FS-Z 2. That the proposed temporary acquisition of land suitable for wood debris processing be investigated; and 3. That the 2012 Capital Budget be amended to include a new capital project in the amount of $1,138,706 for the Emerald Ash Borer Program with funding transferred from Reserve Fund #18 - Developer Contributions; and 4. That the program outlined with this report be largely funded from Development Charges and will form part of future budget submissions for Council's review and approval that staff report back at the 2013 budget process for future funding considerations by Council. Background: The Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) is a highly destructive invasive (non-native) insect which feeds exclusively on ash trees. While the EAB poses no risk to human health, this beetle is an invasive alien species and poses a significant threat to our urban forest. EAB was first discovered in the Windsor/Detroit area in 2002, where it has eliminated most ash trees over the past 10 years. At the time of the discovery, several strategies to stop the spread of the insect were employed. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) clear cut a ten kilometer wide break between the known infested area and the remainder of the province in an (unsuccessful) effort to prevent the spread of EAB to the north and east. As a reaction to the impending threat of an Ontario-wide EAB infestation, the City of Brampton suspended all ash planting in fv Emerald Ash Borer Adult and Larvae In the summer of 2008, the CFIA confirmed the presence of EAB in Brampton and Mississauga, in addition to several other geographic locations throughout Ontario (London, GTA, Ottawa and Sault Ste. Marie). The insect's presence was confirmed at the intersection of Orenda and Dixie roads in ash trees adjacent to local businesses. Upon confirming the presence of EAB in Brampton, the CFIA established a quarantine zone and limited the movement of ash wood products from the Brampton area. The current Ministerial order/quarantine applies to all of Peel Region, the City of Toronto, and other GTA communities.

3 F5-3 White Ash (Fraxinus americana) and the Green Ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica) were favoured tree variety selections when developing Brampton subdivisions due to their ability to thrive in drought and clay soil conditions. The imminent spread of EAB triggered the removal of ash as a landscape tree in late 2004 (although EAB was not present in Brampton at that time). Even so, ash still account for 10% - 13% of Brampton's total tree population. Current Situation: Since the initial discovery of EAB within Brampton, Urban Forestry has monitored all ash trees during the course of normal business and has confirmed EAB in ash trees north and south of Queen Street in Wards 7 and 8. Several trees, within the known infested areas, are exhibiting signs of rapid decline and are expected to die and be removed in The Urban Forestry Section has been preparing for this outbreak since 2003 when it became apparent that efforts to stop the spread of EAB were essentially ineffective. The following information summarizes preparation activities: In February 2003, the Manager of Parks Maintenance provided Council with a report introducing the EAB as a potential threat to Ontario's ash trees. Further reporting took place in 2003 with presentations explaining the actions of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency to slow the spread through the removal of infected trees and the establishment of a 5 kilometer wide 'fire break' (removal of all ash to slow the insects spread.)

4 F&-4 Fall Urban Forestry announced to our Planning Department and the development industry that ash varieties would no longer be accepted for any new street or park plantings. February Report to Council described several new initiatives such as the 'Active Inventory System', dedicated tree inspectors, web based tree information, Invasive pest preparedness, and a Region-wide study on the environmental effects of Urban area trees called the Urban Forest Effects Model (UFORE) Establishment of a dedicated wood processing site that would treat all ash wood to slow the spread of EAB by killing larvae remaining in wood debris and Council briefing documents on the current EAB situation as well as local press coverage Completed 'in-field' EAB infestation survey (scatter plot sampling) in collaboration with the Canadian Forest Service (CFS) to monitor spread The City's Urban Forestry and Environmental Planning managers joined a "technical working group" consisting of key staff from the City of Mississauga, The Town of Caledon, the TRCA and the CVCA and the Region of Peel to coordinate urban forest management approaches including EAB. Understanding that the spread of this insect is beyond control throughout Ontario, the CFS has initiated contact with several affected municipalities to assist in gathering data on the rates of both infestation and mortality. Brampton staff have completed a 'scatter plot' type survey of all ash trees in Brampton and determined the current areas of infestation. (Mapped below) EET?

5 F6-5 Due to the fact that the (pre-death) tree damage is hidden under the bark layer, surveyed trees were pruned to removel - 2 primary limbs which were then de-barked to determine if 'feeding galleries'1 were present. Adult EAB has the capability of flying between 5-7 kilometers prior to laying eggs on a new food source tree. Female EAB will lay eggs which will hatch and begin the destructive feeding cycle on the new host tree. To further track this insect's movement, in 2011 staff placed insect traps at strategic locations throughout the City. These traps release an attractant that lures the adult insect to a sticky substance allowing staff to monitor not only their presence but also the population density within a given area. Staff is projecting that the current infested areas (illustrated on the above map) will expand to encompass the majority of the eastern half of the City by the end of Prevailing westerly winds and the 410 highway corridor may slightly slow the western spread of the insect although adults have been found in traps west of the 410 highway in The following table illustrates the overall impact of ash losses in our residential and commercial areas. The 13.6% loss of canopy cover in our residential neighbourhoods will result in several negative impacts which can be mitigated to some degree, only if action (replacement) is taken in the early stages of the infestation. Ash percentages in those areas developed in the 1970s, 1980s and early 1990s are much higher than indicated here: Land Use Percent of Leaf Area Residential White Spruce 16.7% Ash 13.6% Norway Maple 13.5% Commercial E. Buckthorn 29.1% Norway Maple 23.6% Ash 11.3% Having reviewed mortality rates in other municipalities where the infestation began 8-9 years ago, we are able to provide the following chart which illustrates the projected mortality rates for Brampton's ash tree population. 1Feeding galleries - refers to the serpentine marks below the bark layer that represent presence of EAB larva actively feeding. 5

6 FS-t Forecasted Mortality Rate ofash Trees Percent of Living Ash - Percent of Dead Asli Year Mitigating Tree Losses As stated, ash varieties make up a considerable portion of the municipal tree population. Large quantities were planted along subdivision streets and in parkland during the development process pre 2005 (when the ban on ash planting was put into place). Also of concern are those developments pre-dating 1993, where a 'monoculture-style'2 planting was implemented. (The environmental and aesthetic value of these trees to the associated neighbourhood streets and parks is substantial.) Staff is recommending that Brampton establish a selection process for determining the most effective means of mitigating ash tree losses. The following selection process is the result of municipal benchmarking and involves the separating of ash trees into three groups by size, location (aesthetic value) and condition, with 3 separate mitigation strategies to assist in reducing the overall impact of ash loss. Proposed Mitigation Strategies 1. Large (over 40cm 'diameter at breast height' (dbh)) - High Value Ash Injections with TreeAzin : As EAB is new to this country, there is no significant natural predation available for controlling its numbers. Without natural 'checks' that would safeguard some of our trees, scientists and government regulatory bodies have 'fast-tracked' the registration of a chemical injection (TreAzin ) that has been shown to be reasonably effective in controlling damage to individual trees when injected every two years. (Injections MUST occur every 2 years for the life of the tree to maintain protection.) Mono Culture (entire streets planted with a uniform tree variety). This planting style was abandoned to avoid the effects of mass mortality on a single street, brought on by species specific issues. 6

7 F&-"? While some experts are of the opinion that chemical injections are only successful in delaying the death of ash, injections do provide some protection for our larger, aesthetically and environmentally valuable specimens while research continues to search for a cure. Individuals, or groups of larger trees (Greater than 40 cm diameter at 1.4m from ground) located in residential subdivisions would be considered the best/most valuable candidates for injections of TreeAzin. Ash exhibiting signs of poor overall health, structural instability or advanced infestation would not be injected. 'J TreeAzin injection 2. Mid-Sized High Value Ash (21-40cm dbh) Trees within the cm diameter range will be closely reviewed for overall health and structural soundness. Trees in less than optimal condition will be removed and replaced as EAB moves through the City. Trees found to be in exceptional health (expected to thrive for greater than 15 years) may be assessed for possible injections with TreeAzin. Available funding will determine whether the tree is to be proactively injected, inter-planted with a successor, removed and replaced or permitted to stand until such time as removal is required. 3. Lower Value Ash (less than 20cm dbh) Although ash less than 20cm in diameter provide significant aesthetic impact to the neighbourhoods where they grow, their lack of trunk girth at the injection site will create health issues from repeated injections. Given their smaller size it is foreseen that removal, stumping and replacement will, in the long term, be a more cost effective and environmentally sound solution. Corporate Implications Financial Implications Any of the recommended actions requires a long term investment by the City to ensure that we may provide further injections and/or the required maintenance to nurture our severely reduced urban canopy. 3Tree Value: A60cm (24") diameter tree stores approximately 75 times more carbon than a 6cm replacement tree, coupled with the exponential loss of other environmental attributes such as cooling, pollutant/particle removal and storm water retention. 7

8 F5-S The projected costs for these actions have been summarized in the table below, followed by various scenarios depicting the cost as well as the positive and negative aspects of each choice of direction: Cost for Street Tree Injection Options Tree size/(total) Cost Per Cost Tree A Over 40cm dbh (1522 trees) $300/tree $456,600 (every 2 yrs) B 20-40cm dbh (12,856 trees) $180/tree $2,314,080 (every 2 yrs) C Under 20cm dbh (7689 trees) N/A A. $456,600 (or $228,000/year) is the estimated cost to attempt saving the largest and most valuable4 ash through bi-annual injections of TreeAzin. B. $2,314,080 ($1,157,040/year) is the estimated cost to inject this size range of ash although infield examinations of each specimen is expected to reduce these numbers (as trees with poor health or form should be replaced.) C. Trees smaller than 20cm dbh will be removed and replaced as bi-annual injections (multiple trunk injuries at injection sites every 2 years) would most likely kill the tree long before it reaches maturity. Removal/Replacement Costing Options Tree Sizes Removal/ Stumping Tree replacement Cost Per tree Total cost A Over 40cm dbh $700 per tree $760 (w/2 $1,460 per $2,222,120 (1522 trees) removed replacement) tree removed B Over 40cm dbh $700 per tree $380 (w/1 $1,080 per $1,643,760 (1522 trees) removed replacement) tree removed C 20-40cm dbh $350 per tree $380 (w/1 $730 per tree $9,384,880 (12,856 trees) removed replacement) removed D Under 20cm dbh $200 per tree $380 (w/1 $580 per tree $4,459,620 (7689 trees) removed replacement) removed cost If larger trees are permitted to die (no treatments), the estimated cost to remove and provide 2 replacements (to assist in mitigating the environmental loss) is estimated will cost in excess of $2,000,000. B. There is an approximate savings of $500,000 by using 1 replacement tree for the larger removals instead of 2. C-D Trees under 40cm in diameter would cost approximately $15,000,000 to remove and replace. 'Most valuable' considers the trees monetary value (50cm Ash in front of a home could be valued in excess of $20, if damages were sought due to vandalism causing its death) as well as its environmental value to the 'urban forest.' 8

9 FM There is currently no funding specifically approved for the Emerald Ash Borer Program. In order to proceed with some of the work as set out in this report to assist in mitigating the extent of the damage, a budget amendment will be required. Staff has identified $1,138,706 of funding in Reserve Fund #18 - Developer Contributions for landscaping purposes that has already been completed through tax based funding in Parks Operations programs and is therefore available for the Emerald Ash Borer Program. The recommended Capital Project request and funding transfer merely acts as a reimbursement from the Reserve Fund back to the tax base for this prior completed work. Allocation of Reserve Fund #18 - Developer Contributions to the EAB Program Reserve Fund #18 currently holds funds paid to the City by developers in lieu of completing outstanding works on subdivisions (e.g. tree planting/landscaping, individual lot development, warranties, general deficiencies). Through various means, most deficiencies are rectified by either the follow-up actions of municipal operations, subsequent 'site-plan' infill developments, or in some cases, warrantee issues becoming resolved through natural processes. Reserve Fund #18 collected specifically for landscape purposes that are more than 6 years old have been reviewed to ensure no significant outstanding needs exist within the original development area to which they relate. Staff is proposing that these unused landscape funds be utilized to offset the new city-wide 'environmental-deficiencies' within Brampton, caused by EAB. Given that there has been a diverse list of agencies and interests involved in resolving the issues related to Reserve Fund #18, most works have instead been historically funded largely through annual tax based operating budgets. Consequently Reserve Fund #18 remains intact and provides justification for using these funds for nondevelopment related programs such as the EAB. With the proposed $1.14 million being requested from Reserve Fund #18, staff intends to establish a working base of operations for the estimated 10 years it will take to address this issue. "Start-up" needs consist of staff, equipment, contractors (for removals, stumping and planting/landscaping) as well as land for debris handling. Following the program's establishment in 2012, it will be necessary to provide additional funding of approximately $13.8 million to address EAB concerns through the next 8-10 years as well as $228,000/year if injections for larger trees are a selected mitigation measure. Staff will bring back budget requests for the EAB program to Council on an annual basis through the normal current and capital budget processes. Marketing and Public Communication EAB will generate considerable public interest. The Parks Division has engaged Corporate Communications to create a draft communication strategy to raise awareness amongst Brampton residents of the EAB infestation and its impact, inform residents

10 FS-'o about the City's plans for mitigating the losses of City ash trees, and to educate the public about how to look after their own ash trees as EAB spreads across Brampton. A variety of communication tactics will be employed, including advertising, messaging in corporate publications, and information on the City's website. In conjunction with the other communication tactics, letters to residents will be supplied to all residents in a neighbourhood affected by EAB, as well as 'address-specific' mailings for those with an Ash trees directly adjacent to their residence that must be removed. Staff has will be posting signage (below) notifying local residents that the EAB is present within their neighbourhood. U BRAMPTON t.o-^i^,n Flower City Emerald Ash Borer NOTICE Please note that the Emerald Ash Borer has been confirmed to be present in this neighbourhood. Service and Operational Implications Significant environmental and capital asset loss due to EAB feeding activities is projected. Current Urban Forestry service delivery may be negatively impacted by tree mortality due to EAB. Given the magnitude of the projected losses as depicted in the above table; if additional resources are not supplied to combat EAB, staff must integrate EAB related service requests into existing maintenance schedules. Customer service response times and internal processes will be strained or postponed due to increased demand for removals (immediate liabilities), inspections and consultations. In talks with municipal arborists who have experienced the full spectrum of issues caused by EAB related mortality, we know that the city must also consider: a. Acquiring a material handling site large enough to cope with the increase in wood debris created by ash removals. (3-4 hectare hard surfaced.) b. Develop a strategy for communicating with residents who have dead trees on their property. (The City of Windsor currentlyhas several private locations throughout the city where trees have died and decayed to the point that they can 10

11 FB-i no longer be safely removed.) Staff will be working with Property Standards to develop criteria that would prevent trees from becoming serious liabilities. To provide support for residents dealing with ash related mortality on their properties, it is recommended that the Corporation suspend by-law related applications and/or the associated fees where ash trees are involved. Although there will be no capacity to financially assist residents with private removals, the Corporation will provide tutorials on selecting professional, insured contractors. With or without EAB specific funding, the corporate response to the EAB issue (once established) must be communicated through a comprehensive plan that provides residents with an idea of what is to be expected both immediately and over the next few years: Conclusion The Emerald Ash Borer has severe and adverse environmental impacts which are threatening the population of Brampton's Ash trees. Working with various agencies and municipalities, strategies and a program have been designed in order to mitigate the effects of the Emerald Ash Borer. Staff is recommending that S1,138,706 be transferred from Reserve Fund #18 in order to support and implement the program. Given the overall deficit position of the DC Reserve Funds, the annual project budget for this program will need to be approved by Council with consideration given to the future level of DC receipts, the City's ability to internally finance debt and the priority of other future Recreation DC funded projects. Should the program not be approved for funding, substantial service delivery interruptions can be expected. Original Signed By Original Signed By Jamie Lowet/y v Commissior/er of Community Services Gene Duval Director of Parks Maintenance Original Signed By MoLeyvis/ Commissioner of Finances & Information Services Report authored by: Gary Linton, Manager of Central Operations Parks Maintenance Community Services 11