Agenda - Council - 09/22/1992 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Background:i PILOT OAK WILT SUPPRESSION PROGRAM iBy: Mark Boos, Parks/Utilities Coordinator and Bruce Bacon, Environmental Specialist CASE Oak wilt confi~.ues ~to take its toll on Ramsey's predominant species, mature red oaks. Most every resident in Ra~nse~ has experienced the disheartening effects of oak wilt or is familiar with someone whol.has4 These oaks contribute more than beauty, wildlife habitat and increased property valeS. Tl~e trees provide distinction and, in many cases, actually produce energy savings by virtue of' s~h~d¢ ./md wind protection. Annual estimates of red oak mortality range from 2.5% per year to 5% ~urihg the drought. The 1988 DNR aerial survey found 214 acres, of more than 20 trees each, d3~irig iniRamsey. Anoka Coun.t~ is ~nost heavily impacted. For 1992, the University of Minnesota Extension Division, Soili~Co~iservation Service and Minnesota Department of Natural Resources have implemented'~a $25t),000 Federally funded Cooperative Oak Wilt Suppression Program targeted for Anoka Couniy! T~e nature of this program is to focus available dollars on the work of reducing root grafts tff ~xisiing infection centers and controlling the overland spread. This program encourages p~ar~icil: ation by essentially funding the City's share of a 50/50 match with homeowner and devel°op~y~on! ~ol work. All oak wilt suppression activity occurring in Ramsey is eligible for cost share fu .riding2 Earlier this y,ar the} City procured a $5,000.00 Community Forestry Planning Grant to contract for an updated i~gfitey,[mapping and control plan. Results of the survey indicate oak wilt is a larger problem than~t§e 19~88 DNR survey indicated. Staff's recommendations are based on the results of the surveY arld!!nteOm forestry plan. As a result of City Council's July 14, 1992 authorization to throw our "h~ttlin tl)e ring", the City has successfully reserved $33,250.00. This amount (match) is based on the~esti~ate of $66,500.00 worth of in-kind and out-of-pocket expenses (cost) to the commumty f~r~oak~wflt suppressmn. Local umt share or commumty cost ~s the combination of private homeO~ne~-lexpenses and costs incurred by the City. The purpose o~th~sicase ~s to receive authorization from City Council to proceed with the oak wilt control program utilizing community suppression program dollars and the criteria recommended by the Minnesota Shad~ Tree Advisory Committee's Oak Wilt Task Force. Definitionsl Thel following definitions or abbreviations will be used throughout this! case: O/W . . . OagWilt H/O .... Hon~eowner or Property Owner Plow . . Vib~'atory Plow CSP . . . Community Suppression Program Worthy of n0tO,, it i~ understood by all parties that this pilot program is subject to and will likely see amendmept~s an~ modifications as it evolves through the year 1997. The following ~xhifiits are enclosed: · Exhibit !"A" ~lluslxates how the plan will work for the average oak wilt program participant.