Nature of the Request:
In May this Commission directed the staff to develop a plan for the Shawnee lake area to begin eradication of red cedar trees on City owned property. The designed purpose of this eradication is for the benefit of fire safety and water conservation.
Staff Analysis, Considerations:
Staff has studied various methods, considering the best methods for most effective results and financial benefits for the purpose of developing a plan to remove red cedars. Many of those methods, costs and benefits are included in the attachments. It should be noted here, it quickly became apparent that this task was going to be difficult to complete and difficult to analyze without surveying areas of concern. Areas of varying thicknesses of wooded acreage with various densities, structures, topography and tree calipers all cause this project to be very difficult to estimate both in terms of time, finances and effectiveness.
The City owns approximately 2500 predominately wooded acres, some having heavy populations of cedars and others are sparse, around the Shawnee twin lake area. This area includes about 180 lease lots, including some school leases. The boundary lines of all of
these areas are not significantly marked nor is our property symmetrically shaped, making it difficult to establish distinct areas for tree removal. This includes approximately 39.2 miles of shoreline.
Despite some of the challenges listed above the intended benefits of this project were to remove a potential fire hazard, reducing life and property dangers, and the increased water runoff to the lakes. Any area that has a space free of these trees will provide a buffer for the prevention of fires or fire spread. Staff sees this as a measurable tangible as NFPA and the National Forestry Services have proven through studies and actual fire events.
Unfortunately, while there are studies in place making prediction of the consumption of water by cedars, we have no definite numbers established showing the tangible effects of removing cedars for the purpose of runoff in our reservoir. With this in mind, staff
approached the plan with the primary purpose of fire safety.
A final staff consideration here that may or may not be a factor here is that the City owns all of the property inside of the red line on the attached map. Technically, we can manage all of the forests that it owns without interference from adjacent property owners or lessees.
However, the point we are making here is that these individuals live out in a rural setting with thick vegetation sometimes to shield them from their next door neighbor. To mediate this, we recommend a strong media campaign for our lake residents so they know what our contractor is going to be doing before we begin cutting.
Recommendation:
It is the recommendation of staff, based on the direction of this Commission and the information we have gathered, to plan to hire a crew with mulching equipment to begin work to eliminate all red cedar trees in a 200 foot wide strip around the each of the
Shawnee lakes. This area would be at the outer boundaries of the lease lots, approximately 500 hundred feet from shore line or parallel to roadways, and continue around each lake.
It is staff recommendation a starting point at Eckels road and Homer Lane and continue West following the described areas until the lake #1 has been circumvented. Upon completion of lake #1, work on lake #2 could be done in the same manner starting at the same location. The byproduct of this method can be left in place eliminating additional labor cost or environmental problems from burning the timbered trees.
It is also recommended by staff that in as this plan is enacted, work should begin immediately to develop a plan to prevent this situation from returning in the future. This would include budgeting for periodic maintenance, equipment and manpower.
Budget Consideration
Due to the varying numbers of trees per acres, it is advised to have this work performed based on an hourly rate rather than by the acre. We received per hour quotes to cut and mulch in place these cedars from between $ 130.00and $150.00. The approximate cost to
perform this first phase will be 750 acres and at an average of $150 per acre, this is approximately $112,500. This is a roughly estimated figure due to conditions stated in analysis section.
This project is an SMA project and would be eligible to be funded through the authority.
Given the near completion of the water and sewer master plan and the unknown cost of the required future capital improvements as well as the fact that only a small amount was
budgeted for this project in the FY 2013- 2014 SMA budget, Staff does not recommend putting resources toward this project at this time.
However, if Commissioners desire for Staff to continue with this project, a budget amendment will be needed to budget for the expenses.
Research information for Cedar eradication
Alternatives and Methods:
1 Recycle or timber production- The largest drawback to this plan is that timber crews want to take larger trees for the purpose of lumber. Taller large diameter (approx. 7 inch) trees are their targets.
They do not want to waste their time on smaller trees or non-heavily populated areas. Many of the areas are wooded with various types of trees in addition to cedars. The plan is to remove only cedars.
2. Purchase the equipment- Found used equipment for purchase of approximately $20,000. and additional monies to purchase required safety items, ie; bullet proof glass, etc. This would be fitted to
existing equipment owned by the City and operated by staff, requiring man hours and stress on City equipment.
3. Lease the Equipment- This can be done but limited equipment is available, mostly only skid loader saws that cut but leave the tree lay at that site. They must then be stacked and burned. This
would be done by staff also, creating more man hours. Wide range of prices for available for job specific equipment.
4. Controlled burns- Good method to eliminate reproducing trees but leave behind burned trees that must be cut later. Staff would be required to burn and cut. Increased liability of smoke and fire
hazards exist along with environmental issues. Potentially least expense involved but higher risk.
5. Contract the work- We have looked at pricing for various methods of tree removal considering best price and results.
a. Up root the trees--Done my dozer, trac hoe, back hoe
To eliminate the trees, including the stumps, these methods uproot the entire tree. Drawback is they do major soil disruption, creating risk of soil erosion, and create difficulty in selection
of only cedars. Trees must be piled and later burned. Normally leave behind dirt piles mixed with stump remains. $100-200 hr.
b. Saw the trees, normally 2-4 inches above ground level. Accomplished with a large saw attached to long arm on front of skid loader. Being tree selective is less difficult. Trees must then be
stacked to be burned or mulched later. Burning creates potential liabilities. Stumps create mowing problems to prevent future regrowth. Quotes range $100-150 hr. with additional labor and liability of burning.
c. Mulch the trees in place. Large piece of equipment attached to front of skid loader or loader.
Tree selection is less difficult. This method takes stump to ground level or below. The mulch can be left in place to prevent erosion. Mulch holds moisture in ground. No need for removal or burning.
Quotes
range $140-200 hr.
Change in status since the May Commission meeting
1. The F-4 tornado occurred on May 19th. The clean-up cost created financial constraints that prohibit County from assisting with mentioned funding at this time.
2. Staff is still in process of dealing with tornado recovery.
3. The company quoting the work is no longer in business.
Considerations in site selection- Difficult to determine areas to be eradicated include many problems.
1. No visible or landmark boundaries- Using photo maps is helpful but still difficult to delineate leases and city property. Only accurate way would be to survey.
2. Do we remove trees from leased land—Lease holder personal responsibility.
3. Should we begin by building a fire break around leases, keeping in mind some lot holders want to retain privacy barrier.
4. Should heavily concentrated areas be priority or a creating a fire break be better suited for the safety of a larger number of people and property.
5. Will areas of tree removal benefit water runoff to the lakes.
Future Considerations needing to be addressed-
1. A plan to prevent areas from becoming inhabited with cedars again.
2. Budget established to fund equipment and manpower for prevention.
3. Continuation and expansion of cedar eradication in the Shawnee lake area.
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