Urban Forestry Policy Issues & Dutch Elm Disease Report. City of Evanston Parks/Forestry & Recreation Department

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1 Urban Forestry Policy Issues & Dutch Elm Disease Report City of Evanston Parks/Forestry & Recreation Department 1

2 Background Higher than Average Incidents of Dutch Elm Disease in 2004 September 1, 2004 City Council Meeting RFP for Tree Inventory Services 2

3 Policy Options Prevent the spread of Dutch Elm Disease on public property Prevent the spread of Dutch Elm Disease on public property and on private property when they threaten public trees Prevent the spread of Dutch Elm Disease to signature and stand-alone alone trees Prevent the spread of all potential known threats to tree species (including the Emerald Ash Borer and the Asian Long Horn Beetle) Utilize a cost effective program that balances the budget resources of the City of Evanston with a reasonable program to prevent all threats to the urban forest 3

4 Existing Dutch Elm Disease Control Program- Sanitation Method 3 Step Process Cut-Outs Dutch Elm Disease Insurance Program 4

5 City s s Current Reforestation Plan Achieve species diversity whereby no single species represents more than 10% of our urban street tree population Formulate, implement and continually evaluate a general (city-wide) approved species list Incorporate, within the boundaries of sound urban forestry practices, an element of choice for our citizens regarding the type of tree to be planted Replace trees on a systematic basis lost to diseases, storms, or other reasons if there is sufficient room for new planting 5

6 Fungicide Injection Program Involves injecting the fungicide directly into the base of the tree every 3 years (macro-infusion) Only prevents a tree from becoming infected via feeding by Elm Bark Beetles Will not cure a tree that has already been infected Does not prevent a tree from becoming infected through root grafts Trees 10 in diameter or smaller cannot be injected 6

7 Dutch Elm Disease Injection Program Issues Unprecedented program Alternative programs including trenching and hybrid trees Effectiveness of injections Previously injected trees Vulnerability from untreatable Elm trees Legal issues Additional threats to urban forest 7

8 Fungicide Injection Program Options 100% City Funded Program for elms on City Parks and Parkways in one year 100% City Funded Program for the injection of one-half of elms in Parks/Parkways each year over two years period 100% City Funded Program for the injection of one-third of elms in Parks/Parkways each year over three year period Injection program for signature and stand-alone alone trees only 50/50 Program for Parkway and/or Private trees Existing Sanitation Program 8

9 Example of a 23 Elm 9

10 Example of a 35 Elm 10

11 Example of a 43 Elm 11

12 Fungicide Injection Program Recommendations Injection program that addresses signature and stand-alone alone public elm trees in conjunction with our sanitation program Most cost effective option Enhances current Dutch Elm Disease Control program Coincides with expert s s recommended approach 12

13 Injection Costs Option Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 3 Total Year 4 Cost 1 $1,029,600 $15,000* $47,000* $1,091,600 $610,000 2 $514,800 $530,244 $47,000* $1,092,044 $305,000 3 $343,200 $353,496 $364,101 $1,060,797 $203,500 4 $360,000 $15,000* $47,000* $422,000 $260,000 5 TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD * Cost to inoculate 200 elms injected over the past two years. 13

14 Financing Use of $360,000 in one-time excess FY 2006 building permit revenues to pay for initial injections $111,000 transfer or expenditure in General Fund needed in FY 2007, FY 2008 & FY 2009 into a reserve to pay for future injections in FY 2008/09 Thereafter, annual $111,000 transfer or expenditure in General Fund will sustain the program 14

15 Where do we go from here? Determine objectives Determine preferred program option Select option for Tree Inventory RFP 15