Posts tagged Erie
City, county, state declare war on Emerald Ash Borer
Nov 13th
The Colorado Department of Agriculture (CDA) today issued an emergency quarantine in the Boulder County area related to the recent discovery of the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) beetle in Boulder in late September. The quarantine is effective immediately.
“Our urban trees provide enormous environmental, economic and social benefits to our community, and ash trees contribute greatly to our urban tree canopy,” said City Forester Kathleen Alexander. “We are currently developing a plan to minimize the impact of the highly destructive Emerald Ash Borer to the city of Boulder, and the quarantine is an important step to limit the infestation and slow the spread, which allows other Front Range communities time to prepare.”
The emergency quarantine prohibits the sale and/or movement of all plants and plant parts of ash trees, including but not limited to:
· Logs and green lumber
· Nursery stock
· Chips and mulch, either composted or uncomposted
· Stumps, roots and branches
· Firewood of any non-coniferous (hardwood) species (Because ash is difficult to distinguish from other hardwood species when cut into firewood, the quarantine is for all hardwood firewood.)
The following areas are included in the emergency quarantine:
· Boulder County
· The entire town of Erie
· The area extending east from Boulder County to the south including Highway 7, to the north including Highway 52 and to the east including Weld County Road 7
· Highway 93 extending south from the Boulder County line to the entrance of Republic Landfill, including the entire landfill property, and including the entire property at 11218 Highway 93 on which the business of the Singing Saw Woodworks is operated
· The 15-acre, fenced Community Sort Yard located at 8200 Highway 7 in Allenspark, on the Boulder/Larimer county line
Quarantined items may be transported within the quarantined area but may not be moved outside its borders without specific authorization from the commissioner of agriculture or the United States Department of Agriculture. Any person violating this quarantine is subject to civil penalties up to $1,000 per violation. The full text of the quarantine, including additional restrictions, can be found at www.EABcolorado.com.
EAB in Colorado
A suspect ash tree was spotted in Boulder County on Sept. 23 by City of Boulder’s Forestry staff. Insect specimens from the ash tree, located near the intersection of 30th and Iris, were collected and sent to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Systematic Entomology Laboratory, where the identity of the insects was confirmed. The confirmation of EAB in Colorado marks the western-most occurrence of this invasive pest in North America. Colorado is the fourth state to detect EAB in 2013.
Ash trees are popular in Colorado with an estimated more than 90,000 in the city of Boulder alone; the Denver metro area has an estimated 1.45 million ash trees.
EAB general information
EAB is an invasive insect that has been responsible for the death or decline of more than 50 million ash trees in 21 states. It is a small, green metallic beetle, originally from Asia, first detected in North America in 2002 in southeastern Michigan. The emerald ash borer attacks only ash trees and all ash species – including green, white, black and blue – are at risk. Signs of emerald ash borer infestation include a general decline in the appearance of the tree, thinning of upper branches and twigs, loss of leaves, and serpentine tunnels produced by EAB larvae under the bark. Woodpeckers may often be observed removing the bark of infested trees to access the larvae.
It is possible that EAB could infest an ash tree for three or four years before visible signs of decline of the tree. If you suspect your ash tree maybe infested with EAB, residents are encouraged to have it inspected by a city of Boulder licensed certified arborist , contact CDA at 888-248-5535, or the City of Boulder Forestry office at 303-441-4406. Infestation signs include:
· Sparse leaves or branches in the upper part of the tree
· D-shaped exit holes about 1/8 inch wide
· New sprouts on the lower trunk or lower branches
· Vertical splits in the bark
· Winding S-shaped tunnels under the bark
· Increased woodpecker activity
How You Can Help
“The public can play a vital role in preventing the spread of this destructive bug by simply not moving firewood,” said Mitch Yergert, CDA’s Plant Inspection Division director. “EAB larvae can survive underneath the bark of ash firewood, and when it’s moved from one place to another, the pest can hitchhike to a new location. Furthermore, it’s important to note that trees begin to decline a bit during fall months but there are certain features of an EAB-infested tree that residents can look for.”
Emergency Quarantine Issued to Protect Colorado Ash Trees in Boulder County, parts of Larimer, Jefferson, Weld Counties
Boulder County, Colo. – The Colorado Department of Agriculture has established an emergency quarantine in and around Boulder County including parts of southern Larimer, western Weld and northern Jefferson Counties (see quarantine map) related to the recent discovery of the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB). The quarantine is effective immediately. Boulder County is working with the Colorado Department of Agriculture, the City of Boulder, and other affected entities to address the quarantine and plan for the potential impacts of the EAB in Boulder County.
“We have cooperated with the state on the implementation of the temporary quarantine and will continue to work to understand the potential impacts of the EAB in Boulder County,” said Boulder County Commissioner Elise Jones. “Boulder County, in conjunction with the state and affected local partners, has begun to develop a response plan that will outline potential actions on county owned lands and provide guidance for private residents.”
The emergency quarantine prohibits the sale and/or movement of all plants and plant parts of the genus Fraxinus, including but not limited to:
· Logs and green lumber
· Nursery stock, scion wood, and bud wood
· Chips and mulch, either composted or uncomposted
· Stumps, roots and branches
· Firewood of any non-coniferous (hardwood) species
Quarantined items may be transported within the quarantined area but may not be moved outside its borders without specific authorization from the Commissioner of Agriculture or the United States Department of Agriculture.
Quarantined items can be transported within the quarantined area to:
· Denver Regional Landfill, 1441 Weld County Road 6, Erie
· Front Range Landfill, 1830 Weld County Road 5, Erie
· Republic Landfill, 8900 Colorado Highway 93, Golden
Residents participating in Boulder County operated flood-debris removal programs, including curbside debris collection do not have to take any special steps to maintain compliance with the quarantine. Debris collected by Boulder County is being treated and transported according to the requirements of the quarantine.
Any person violating this quarantine is subject to civil penalties up to $1000 per violation. The full text of the quarantine, including additional restrictions, can be found at www.EABcolorado.com.
If you think you have EAB in your ash trees, or if you have any questions or concerns, or would like additional information, please contact the CSU Extension in Longmont at 303-678-6238, email EAB@BoulderCounty.org or visit www.bouldercounty.org/property/forest/Pages/eab.aspx.
Flood debris removal off to a slow start
Sep 17th
Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2013
303-413-7730 (Public Call Center)
Update on flood debris community collection sites
Huge demand for flood debris disposal has strained initial city and county collection efforts. Flooding, closures, and delays at the Erie landfill have added to the problem.
Waste disposal crews are working almost around the clock to empty and return roll-off containers at the 21 collection sites. The City of Boulder’s noise ordinance has been waived for early morning collections. Additional crews will be deployed starting Tuesday to clear debris that has accumulated at some of the community sites. Volunteer crews are expected to begin assisting with this effort by mid-morning.
The city and county are working on adding additional debris collection services to meet demand, and damage assessment teams are beginning the process to assess the extent of debris collection needs. Residents are asked to be patient during this extraordinary time.
Residents are reminded that the community trash receptacles are to be used for safe removal of spoiled food, damaged carpet, household materials and other flood-related debris. Residents are asked to not put electronics, household hazardous waste, appliances containing Freon and power equipment containing gasoline into the receptacles.
Details about what cannot be placed in community trash receptacles, visit www.BoulderCountyFlood.org.
More information on recycling and other waste diversion opportunities can be found at:
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Latest from Boulder EOM on flood: Lefthand water, Boulder water, mountain routes closed
Sep 14th
Emergency Status
This page displays all public information that has been released about emergencies occurring in our community.
We are committed to posting updates as soon as new and verified details become available. The information is displayed in reverse chronological order, with the most recent updates at the top. If you are keeping this page up, PLEASE REFRESH PERIODICALLY FOR THE MOST CURRENT INFORMATION.
9-14-2013 Next Media Briefing Scheduled for 5:00pm
The next media briefing is scheduled for 5 p.m. MST today . City and county officials along with the Rocky Mountain Incident Management Team will be providing updates. This is instead of the 4:30 p.m. briefing that was announced this morning. We switched the time at the request of media outlets that plan to carry the conference live at 5 p.m.
9-14-2013 11:00am Left Hand Water District Clarification
There has been some confusion about the boil water advisory that was sent out for the Left Hand Water district. The advisory was for those served by the Left Hand Water district only, if you are served by Left Hand Water district you would pay your bill directly to them. City of Boulder, Gunbarrel, City of Longmont, Town of Lafayette, Eldorado Springs, and Town of Erie drinking water continues to be safe to drink. If your drinking water is purchased from the any of those districts, you do not have to boil it.
Some residents appear to have received the phone call from the Left Hand Water District to boil water. The phone call was sent to a geographic area, but there were some water customers included that are not served by the Left Hand Water district and some got the call inadvertently. Check your water bill to determine who your water provider is. If you are in an HOA or a multifamily or rental unit and your water bill is paid by the HOA or your landlord, ask them to confirm who provides your water. Visit lefthandwater.org and scroll down to the “District Service Clarification” section for more information.
The Town of Lyons still continue to be under a boil water advisory.
9-14-2013 9 a.m. Media Briefing Summary
- Emergency personnel are focusing on life safety search and rescue operations.
- Lots of air support will be used throughout the day to evacuate people.
- Numerous mountain roads are flooded, damaged and impassable, making rescue operations more challenging.
- Transportation crews are working on repairing roads for rescue and evacuation efforts.
- More than 200 people are unaccounted for, but necessarily missing. Emergency officials are working hard to collect an updated list of names from hospitals, shelters and evacuation sites.
- Sunshine Canyon is the only access route to Nederland and is open to emergency vehicles only.
- Approximately 50 people are still in Jamestown and law enforcement personnel are urging them to evacuate as it is not known when the roads will be repaired.
- Officials are urging people to stay off the roads, especially in the mountains, to allow emergency personnel to do their job.
- The children at the Cal-Wood Education Center will be rescued today.
- Officials are still working on a plan for debris and trash removal. Please do not leave debris in streets as this may impede safety vehicles.
- No immediate threat to drinking water in Boulder, Erie, Lafayette or Longmont. Please limit discretionary water usage, to the extent possible.
- Stay out of floodwaters, which are contaminated and unsafe.
Thanks to all of the evacuation centers, federal partners and the community for all your continue patience and support.
9-14-13 8:50 a.m. City of Boulder Water is Safe to Drink
City of Boulder drinking water continues to be safe to drink. If your drinking water is purchased from the City of Boulder, you do not have to boil it. Some residents appear to have received the phone call from the Left Hand Water District to boil water. The phone call was sent to a geographic area, but there are also City of Boulder water customers in that area and some got the call inadvertently. However, if you get your drinking water from the City of Boulder, you do NOT need to boil water. Check your water bill to determine who your water provider is. If you are in an HOA or a multifamily or rental unit and your water bill is paid by the HOA or your landlord, ask them to confirm who provides your water.
Visit lefthandwater.org and scroll down to the “District Service Clarification” section for more information.