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Board Member Max referred Board Member Olds to Subdivision 3.a Board Member Olds asked <br />if the wood wasn't going to be used for firewood and the tree was cut because it was dying or <br />diseased, what could be done with the tree. Environmental Specialist Bacon stated if it were <br />stored properly, it could be retained. Board Member Max stated that it could be chipped or <br />stored for burning. Board Member Olds asked if it were not to be stored for chipping or burning <br />what should be done with a tree. Environmental Specialist Bacon stated that it should be hauled <br />to the dump in the winter. <br /> <br />Environmental Specialist Bacon stated the language was outdated because it was determined <br />early on that the inspector is no longer looking for Elm wood. He stated that it raised the <br />question, what should be required of homeowners with diseased Elm trees. Environmental <br />Specialist Bacon asked if the ordinance should require of homeowners with diseased Elm trees. <br />He asked if the City should require that the homeowner cut the trees down, dispose of them, or <br />try to control the disease. <br /> <br />Board Member Max stated this was a new problem because the Emerald Ash borer actually <br />crossed five miles of open water and made its way into the upper peninsula of Michigan because <br />people carry firewood. Board Member Max stated that now the discussion has turned from Elm <br />or Oak to Ash wood, which is a huge species group. He noted that Ash is not even mentioned in <br />the language of the ordinance. Board Member Max asked if the language should be more <br />generic about transporting diseased wood and forget language that is species specific. <br /> <br />Board Member Max asked if language stating that transporting diseased trees is a bad thing to do <br />might be a wise revision. Environmental Specialist Bacon stated he did not feel the language <br />needed to be made that narrow because, there is root rot, and other things that aren't particularly <br />evasive. Environmental Specialist Bacon stated potentially the vectors might need to be <br />identified rather than the species. Environmental Specialist Bacon asked if the Asian Longhorn <br />Beetle was specific to a species. Board Member Max stated it was not. Board Member Max <br />stated he didn't want to make the language even more complicated. Environmental Specialist <br />Bacon stated this was the stage to complicate it in order to construct a remedy. <br /> <br />Chairperson McDilda asked what was the purpose of this ordinance. Environmental Specialist <br />Bacon stated that Oak Wilt was one consideration. Board Member Max stated it was to clarify <br />controlling the spread of diseases. Board Member Max noted it goes back before Dutch Elm or <br />any of those types of diseased trees, and what the EPB is really looking at is abating infectious <br />diseases of various trees. <br /> <br />Chairperson McDilda recommended the EPB take a more generic approach that opens this up for <br />whatever disease of the year it may be. He stated if this is an infectious disease that the City <br />feels is jeopardizing the tree population within Ramsey, then it should read the following <br />abatement procedures should be applied. Chairperson McDilda stated the public should <br />understand there are certain rules that apply to storage and transporting. He stated most of this is <br />not enforceable anyway, so it really comes down to recommendation at that point. <br /> <br />Environmental Policy Board / November 7, 2005 <br /> Page 3 of 10 <br /> <br /> <br />