Tracy, et al - Thanks for the timely posting about this huge crisis facing the entire state. I'd like to add another suggestion: contact your state senator and representative and ask for their support of a $30 million bonding request that will give grants to municipalities for the inspection, removal, disposal and replanting of trees lost to pests or disease. At this writing, the bill has not been introduced, however, Sen. Linda Higgins and Rep. Ron Erhardt will be the chief authors in their respective bodies. As soon as I learn anything else, I will share it with the List.
The MPRB's website has quite a bit of information under the Urban Forest heading that folks might find helpful. And one last FYI, $600,000 has been allocated for stump grinding this year with the goal of removing all remaining stumps plus this coming summer's losses. I am working with Nokomis East (NENA)'s environment committee on a tree-planting plan. I'm sure other commissioners are similarly involved in the neighborhoods. Carol Kummer District 5 Park Commissioner, candidate and Nokomis East tree hugger -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Tracy Sent: Wednesday, February 16, 2005 1:21 PM To: [email protected] Subject: [Mpls] Dutch Elm Disease List, There was some publicity over the last couple of weeks about the Emergency status of Dutch Elm Disease in the City of Minneapolis. I sit on the newly-appointed Minneapolis Tree Advisory Commission, a committee of concerned folks (residents, park board commissioners and staff, mayor, city council, U of M, and arborists) who are worried that there isn't enough being done about the disease in our fair city, a disease that has been raging, more or less, since 1978. We have asked that our elected officials take notice and work across agencies; that the Park Board better inform citizens about the disease and the timely treatment or removal or elms; and that citizens do the right thing by either treating their private and boulevard elms, and/or remove those that are diseased on their private property. We ask that everyone work hard to slow the disease (by removing dying trees and not storing elm wood on property or in garages) and to plant new trees as soon as possible. I'm wondering what members on this List have experienced in terms of the epidemic on their streets, delay in removing dying trees, the replacement of new trees, NRP or other group involvement, etc. Are people still aware that we have about 50,000 elm trees in Minneapolis, and that 10,000 were cut down last year (2004) and that another 10,000 will probably be removed in 2005? What's the word on the street, in other words. It's an issue worth discussing, even shouting about, lest we lose another significant chunk of our urban forest. Respectfully, Tracy Nordstrom Tree Activist in East Calhoun REMINDERS: 1. Be civil! Please read the NEW RULES at http://www.e-democracy.org/rules. If you think a member is in violation, contact the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract ________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[email protected] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls REMINDERS: 1. Be civil! Please read the NEW RULES at http://www.e-democracy.org/rules. If you think a member is in violation, contact the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract ________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[email protected] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
