NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION BOARD - Rebecca Haug, Water Resources Manager
Title
ASH TREE REMOVAL AT THE BLAINE WETLAND SANCTUARY
Background
The City of Blaine has experienced a significant amount of diseased ash trees caused by the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB). The BWS is one of the areas that is experiencing a high number of diseased ash trees. Unfortunately, all ash trees at the BWS are diseased or dead.
Due to the difficulty of getting heavy equipment out to the uplands of the BWS, staff has requested a quote from three contractors; Precision Land and Tree (PLT), Minnesota Native Landscaping (MNL) and Reliable Tree Service, Inc.
• PLT, since they will already be mobilized to complete the southern portion restoration work to remove diseased ash trees throughout the site, quoted a price of $40,000.
• Reliable Tree Service, Inc. quoted $125,000 since they would need to mobilize equipment to do the work.
• MNL chose not to bid on the project.
The funding source for this project would come from the Open Space Capital Improvement Fund.
Removing dead and diseased trees from the entire site in conjunction with the southern restoration this winter will provide cost savings to the city. The contractor will already be at the site with the equipment to remove the trees.
Not removing the trees could create safety issues with the use of trails and would require city staff to remove the trees. Leaving the trees could make the prescribed burns more difficult at the site because they can become a fire hazard.
Recommendation
By motion, recommend to the Blaine City Council to enter into a contract with PLT to remove all ash trees throughout the BWS.