West Linn's Parks and Recreation Advisory Board is pushing the city council to take immediate action against the Emerald Ash Borer after hearing the board's first formal briefing on the invasive beetle Thursday, Aug. 13.
Oregon Department of Forestry specialist Matt Mills delivered a 30-minute presentation at the meeting, outlining the urgent need for West Linn to develop a management plan that includes tree inventories, treatment, removal and replacement strategies. The beetle has no natural predators in Oregon. It has already been confirmed in Clackamas County.
The board agreed on three recommendations for the city council: schedule a dedicated EAB-focused presentation, prioritize funding and staff resources for tree management, and consider a moratorium on planting new ash trees, according to a summary of the meeting.
Co-chairs Vicki Handy and John Linman led the session, which was held in the Bolton Room at City Hall and livestreamed on YouTube. Board members Chris Owens, Stacy Epsteen, Diana Lavery, Karen Kellog and Todd Olson also participated, with council liaison Kevin Bonnington present.
As we reported Aug. 7, the briefing marked the first time the parks board formally addressed EAB since the pest was discovered in Oregon in Forest Grove in 2022.
Regional threat already in motion
The board's recommendation comes as neighboring Lake Oswego moves ahead with its own plan. The Lake Oswego City Council voted Aug. 4 to approve an EAB readiness and response plan calling for staggered removal of approximately 150 ash trees and chemical injections to slow the spread, according to the Lake Oswego Review.
Lake Oswego staff estimated between $300,000 and $800,000 in future remediation costs for the 2027-29 biennium budget. Urban forester Courtney Wilson told the Lake Oswego council Aug. 4 that once a tree is infested, "it has about a 99% mortality rate."
EAB has now been spotted in five Oregon counties: Clackamas, Multnomah, Washington, Marion and Yamhill.
Other board business
The board also discussed the Mary S. Young Lease Agreement and infrastructure concerns related to an ODOT bridge project affecting local properties. A planned budget update was deferred to October.
The Parks and Recreation Advisory Board meets next on Thursday, Sept. 10, at 5:30 p.m. in the Bolton Room at City Hall.
Upcoming
- Thursday, Sept. 10 — West Linn Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, 5:30 p.m., City Hall Bolton Room
