Emerald ash borer in crosshairs

YorkRegion.com
June 19, 2014
By Sara Carson

As the emerald ash borer heads north, Orillia is preparing for its arrival in Scout Valley, said John Bryant, the city’s manager of park planning and development.

“We know it’s coming and we know there is going to be a lot of concern about it, so we’re just trying to be proactive,” Bryant said.

The green beetle has killed or infested as many as 100 million ash trees since it was first detected in Michigan and southwestern Ontario in 2002.

“It’s just devastating all the ash. It’s basically going to wipe out, kill all the ash,” Bryant said.

Ash trees make up about 20% of the trees in the 230-acre, city-owned nature park, Bryant said.

Developing a plan to prepare for the pesky critter is part of the city’s new Scout Valley forest management plan.

Over the next five years, Scout Valley - located at the southwest edge of the city bounded by Highway 11 and Old Barrie Road - will require approximately $200,000 in maintenance work and improvements.

Dirk Janas, a senior ecologist and principal with Beacon Environmental in Bracebridge, presented the forest management plan to city council Monday evening.

“It’s a large pot of money to spend in Scout Valley, but I think it should be more of a long-term plan than a short-term plan,” Mayor Angelo Orsi said.

The plan includes 20 recommendations to protect, maintain and enhance the city-owned property.

“There’s some definite things that need to be done,” Orsi said, adding preparing for the emerald ash borer is an immediate need.

Though the borer has not been detected in Orillia, it has been confirmed in Bradford West Gwillimbury and is moving north.

“Through this study, what we want to do is get a stronger strategy together on how the city can deal with that issue once it hits,” Bryant said.

That would involve engaging volunteers in monitoring the arrival of the insect and staying current with the insect’s status in Orillia and Scout Valley. Beacon Environmental's report states this could cost $5,000 to $10,000 over five years and a complete monitoring would cost an additional $1,000 to $10,000 over five years.

The plan’s creation has been delayed by staff turnover and budget approval, states a staff report. The plan cost the city about $35,000, Bryant said.

Wayfinding is another immediate need, Orsi said.

“Signage is very important to help people navigate through Scout Valley. I think anything to do to enhance that natural feature for the community is wonderful,” he said.

Improving trail orientation signage would cost $15,000 and adding cultural/nature interpretation signage would cost $15,000, states the report.

The need for trail signage was brought up during public consultations, Bryant said.

Maintaining and building a volunteer base is also important, Bryant said, noting the Twin Lakes Conservation Club has constructed walking bridges over streams.

“They’re our eyes and ears on the site in terms of if they notice something’s been damaged, if there’s a tree down on the trail,” he said.

Holding a Scout Valley clean-up day each spring could help engage volunteers, Bryant said.

Recommendations will be presented to city council this fall during 2015 budget deliberations.