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November 12, 200 <br />RE. Support fox the Sherburne S~ICD's Forest Resources Protection Campaign Grant App]ication <br />To whom Zt May Concern: <br />The City of Ells River supports the Shexbuxne Soil and water Conservation District in pursuing the <br />NIN Department of Agricultuxe's 2D10 Forest Protection Reserve -Planning and Preparedness <br />Grant Program. Providing the Soil and water Conservation District with the proposed grant funds <br />will. allow fox a proactive, county-wide education effort regarding Emerald Ash Boxer ~EAB} as well <br />as an inventory of publicly owned ash trees in the City of Ells River and Sherburne County. <br />The City of Elk River has experienced significant growth and development in xecent years resulting <br />i.n large numbers of ash trees being planted in urban areas. yak wilt has ravaged areas within the <br />County and City in recent years as well with the replacement trees tending to have been ash when <br />trees have been planted in place of lost oaks}.The City also has a large native ash tree commu~~ty as <br />well in rural, parldand, and xiparian areas Mississippi and Ells River corridors, for example}. <br />Highways 10 and 1G9 ~majar transportation thoraughfaxes} bisect the City of Ells River and continue <br />through Sherburne County making potential coxridor•s of infestation via inadvertent "hitch-hild.ng" <br />Emexald Ash Borers. <br />Development of an EAB Preparedness and Response Plan is therefore a critical step toward <br />controlling the movement of this invasive insect. The City of Ells River hopes to assist the <br />Shexbuxne Soh. and watex Conservation District to prevent the spread of Emerald Ash Borer <br />through a vigorous educational campaign and rapid response for disposal when the insect reaches <br />Sherburne County. Please consider awarding the Sherburne Soil and water Conservation District's <br />~.•equest. <br />zf there are any questions, please feel free to contact Nicola Blake-Bradley at 763-635-1073. Thanl~ <br />you for your time and consideration of this letter. <br />Sincerely, <br />Nick Zexwas <br />Acting Mayor <br />Rebecca Haug <br />Environmental Administt`ator <br />CC: Gina Hugo, Shexbuxne Soil and water Conservation District <br />Nicola Blake-Bradley, Environmental Technician <br />