9.C.4. PRSR 10-08-2003 - Laserfiche WebLink

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U,, City of Elk River : MEMORANDUM b ;> t TO Mayor & City Council 5, S rt 3 FROM Rebecca Haug, Environmental Technician DATE: September 24, 2003 SUBJECT: MN ReLeaf Grant Recently the City of Elk River along with Baldwin, Livonia, and Big Lake Township, and Sherburne County applied for a grant to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources — Division of Forestry. The grant monies will be used to conduct a community forest assessment. The community forest assessment will provide an overview of what exists, what the current condition of the woodlands are, and what direction or approach might best be followed toward establishing a community forestry program within the financial means allowed. By developing a community forestry plan that is supported by the City's residents, future decisions can then be made on allocating funds in the geographic areas most needed and in the programs most desired. The project will also include the implementation of an oak wilt cost-share program, which will provide financial assistance to landowners for oak wilt suppression, removal of infectious trees, and restoration of affected sites. The Oak Wilt Program is expected to treat about 20 oak wilt sites but this number could fluctuate depending on assessment results and local interests and needs. Landowners will be offered 2 options concerning remaining trees within vibratory plow line. Based on the option selected, they will be eligible to receive between $50 up to $300 for assistance with removal of eligible trees with a match equal to or greater than the amount received. The County Forest Resource Specialist (Tim Edgeton) will serve as the initial coordinator of the program and will help the city with most aspects of the grant, including arranging and designing the forest assessment work and developing the oak wilt suppression program. A forest consulting company will be hired to conduct the assessment, interpret the data, and present the findings. Kunde Co., who has been involved with the majority of suppression work since 1991 under the County program, has indicated they would like to continue work with the township and city programs in the county. County staff, local community members, and other volunteers will assist with interpreting the data. A contractor will be responsible for the line layout and installation of control line using a vibratory plow. The same contractor to ensure compliance of necessary tree removals will conduct post-monitoring work. Volunteers who are working either under the Woodland Advisor Program or the Master Gardener