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<br />CASE # 2 <br /> <br />Emerald Ash Borer Information <br />By: Chris Anderson, Environmental Coordinator <br /> <br />Background: <br /> <br />As the Board knows, Emerald Ash Borer (EAB), an invasive, non-native insect, was detected <br />earlier this year in St. Paul. EAB poses an immense threat to Minnesota's ash tree population, <br />within both the urban and natural forests. Minnesota has the second largest ash population <br />within the US (second only to Maine) and thus, impacts will be felt both economically and <br />environmentally. EAB doesn't discriminate amongst ash trees, attacking all species of ash trees, <br />regardless of size and health, which is why this pest is such a threat. <br /> <br />Monies from the Outdoor Heritage Fund are available through a competitive grant process <br />offered by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture. There is an opportunity to apply for <br />funding for planning and preparing for the inevitable invasion of the EAB. Staff is considering <br />applying for funding to complete an inventory of all boulevard and park trees and to promote <br />awareness through greater public outreach. One eligibility requirement is that a community must <br />have an EAB preparedness plan in place or create such a plan within the first six (6) months of <br />the grant. <br /> <br />Attached are two examples of preparedness plans from Minneapolis and Rochester. These are <br />intended to provide the Board a sense of the typical information contained in a preparedness <br />plan. <br /> <br />Recommendation: <br /> <br />Staff recommends that the drafting of an EAB preparedness plan be added to the 2010 EPB work <br />plan. <br /> <br />EPB Action <br /> <br />Based on discussion. <br /> <br />Attachments: <br />A. City of Rochester EAB Preparedness Plan <br />B. City of Minneapolis EAB Preparedness Plan <br /> <br />EPB: 11/2/09 <br />