STRATEGIC PRIORITY: Transportation & Infrastructure
AGENDA DATE: June 22, 2022
COUNCIL DISTRICT(S): All
DEPARTMENT: Water Utilities Department
EXECUTIVE: Kimberly Bizor Tolbert
______________________________________________________________________
SUBJECT
title
Authorize (1) an increase in appropriations in an amount not to exceed $470,000.00 in the Operating Carryover Fund from General Fund Contingency Reserve; and (2) a transfer in an amount not to exceed $470,000.00 from General Fund Contingency Reserve to the Operating Carryover Fund for the management of a diverse forestry canopy including preventative and reactive maintenance - Not to exceed $470,000.00 - Financing: Operating Carryover Fund and General Fund Contingency Reserve (See Fiscal Information)
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BACKGROUND
The City of Dallas owns approximately 35,000 acres of open space and provides regulatory oversight of private and public urban forestry canopies. Management of a diverse forestry canopy includes preventative and reactive maintenance including but not limited to inventories, assessments, plantings, pruning, treatments, and removals.
In cooperation with, the Texas A&M Forest Services (TFS) and Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA), the City has been tracking and monitoring the emerald ash borer (EAB) infestation in Texas and surrounding counties since the mid-2000s. EAB is a significant threat to urban, suburban, and rural forests as it kills both stressed and healthy ash trees. The EAB is a destructive, non‐native, wood‐boring, pest of ash trees. Native to Asia, the emerald ash borer beetle (EAB) was unknown in North America until its discovery in southeast Michigan in 2002. All native ash species are susceptible to attack. Ash trees with low population densities of EAB often have few or no external symptoms of infestation. EAB is very aggressive and ash trees may die within two or three years after they become infested.
On May 18, 2022, TFS notified the City of the confirmed presence of the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) within Dallas city limits and western Dallas County. According to TFS, ash trees are 5% of the Dallas/Fort Worth urban forest. The TFS and TDA have initiated their EAB Action Plan. As part of their efforts, Dallas County will join Denton, Parker, and Tarrant Counties in its quarantine status. This quarantine is mandated by the State through the Texas Department of Agriculture. During this quarantine the moving of ash wood, wood waste, and hardwood firewood products from within Dallas County to other non-quarantined counties is prohibited.
The City is committed to slowing the mortality (SLAM) of the ash trees from the effects of EAB. As part of the City’s EAB Action Plan and in response to the presence of EAB, staff will: assess ash trees on public property; treatment of significant ash trees (i.e., 24” or larger in diameter, in good condition and large groves of ash trees) will be occurring; and infected ash trees and damaged ash trees that pose safety issues will be removed. Staff will also increase public awareness and outreach for both residential and business communities.
This action will dedicate $470,000 funding from the contingency reserves for the City to perform treatment and removals, as warranted, for the remainder of FY22 and FY23. As conditions evolve, additional resources may be necessary but will be addressed in the future, subject to appropriations.
PRIOR ACTION/REVIEW (COUNCIL, BOARDS, COMMISSIONS)
The Environmental & Sustainability Committee was briefed on Emerald Ash Borer - Challenge to the Dallas Urban Forest on February 1, 2021.
The Environmental & Sustainability Committee was briefed by memorandum regarding Emerald Ash Borer Update on May 3, 2021.
The Environmental & Sustainability Committee was briefed on Urban Forestry Updates on April 4, 2022.
City Council was brief by memorandum regarding the Urban Forestry Update on April 22, 2022.
City Council was brief by memorandum regarding the City Forestry Task Force - Update of the Emerald Ash Borer on May 13, 2022.
City Council was briefed by memorandum regarding the City Forestry Task Force - Follow Up of the Emerald Ash Borer on May 18, 2022.
The Environmental & Sustainability Committee was briefed on the Emerald Ash Borer Update on June 6, 2022.
FISCAL INFORMATION
|
Fund |
FY 2022 |
FY 2023 |
Future Years |
|
Operating Carryover Fund |
$150,000.00 |
$320,000.00 |
$0.00 |
Funding will include transfers from General Fund Contingency Reserve