Board Matter

May 15, 2018

Budget for Tree Removal

Madam Chairman,

The Fairfax County Park Authority has 780 linear miles of parkland boarder that is next to private or non FCPA property. 626 of those linear miles have trees or park-forest lands on or next to them. With the effect of the Emerald Ash Borer and other pests, our forests are on the decline. There are more than 163,000 Ash Trees and 228,260 White Oaks on County parkland. However, many of them are dying at an alarming rate due to disease, insects, and other factors and need to be removed. The Park Authority’s Forestry Operations currently spend so much money on tree removal due to these impacts, the Park Authority is starting to cut funds from other maintenance needs and projects related to playgrounds, trails and tennis courts in order to meet the increased need to remove dead or diseased trees, which create neighborhood safety issues.

The mission of the Integrated Pest Management Fund is to suppress forest pest infestation and pests of public health concern throughout the County through surveillance, pest and insect control, as well as public information and education. The intent is to ensure that none of the County tree cover is defoliated and human morbidity and mortality rates are minimized while protecting the environment.

The Pest Management Fund is fiscally sound. Given the large number of Ash and White Oak trees that are dying due to pest-borne disease, it is logical to look to the Pest Management Fund as a potential fund for the cost of removing these trees. Therefore, I move without objection that the Board request that the County Executive study the feasibility and advisability of using the Integrated Pest Management Fund as a source of funding the removal of trees that the Parks and County take down due to insects, disease, or other similar factors.