City of Oak Creek

Common Council Report

Meeting Date:  January 20, 2004

Item No.:         12

Recommendation:  That the Common Council confirm City of Oak Creek participation in the Wisconsin DNR/US Forest Service gypsy moth aerial spray, grant program. 

Background:  For the past four (4) years, City Forestry has tracked gypsy moth counts within the City of Oak Creek.   We have also worked to bring information to the resident regarding this exotic tree pest.  As predicted regionally, trap counts and consequential egg mass counts have steadily and dramatically increased in Oak Creek:

Year                Average Trap Counts

2000                            12

2001                            17

2002                            92

2003                            251

Autumn egg mass surveys throughout the City have identified a few dense egg mass pockets.  However, only one spray block meets the criteria for participation in the aerial spray grant program in 2004.  Attached is a map of this 20-acre spray block located in SE Section 28.  The spray block has been approved by the Department of Natural Resources.

Complete eradication is not a possibility with this pest.  The goal of the aerial spray program is to help maintain a healthy forest cover and minimize the stress on trees and people.  The product used is a naturally-occurring bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis kurstaki, commonly referred to as Btk (considered to be very environmentally friendly).

All residents are invited to attend a free gypsy moth information (to be advertised), February 7, 2004.  Residents within and around the spray zone have been contacted in writing.

Fiscal Impact:  Appropriate funding for gypsy moth aerial spray has been allocated in the 2004 Urban Forestry CIP account.  This year’s Forestry CIP funding would utilize approximately $1,000 of the $10,000 allocated for the gypsy moth aerial spray.

Per-acre charges are based on a state contract with the insecticide applicators and are not yet set for 2004.  Based on recent years, charges are estimated to be in the $25+ per acre range.  (Approximately $500+ for spray block 1).  All spray costs, including, aerial application, administrative and field work/time, will be 50 percent reimbursed.

To participate in the aerial spray program funds are due prior to April 1, 2004.

Prepared by: 

Rebecca Lane

City Forester

Approved by:

Doug Schachtner

Director of Parks, Recreation & Forestry

Fiscal Review by:

Beverly A. Buretta, CMC

City Clerk