Resolutions

Whereas Saskatchewan municipalities are facing an onslaught of Dutch Elm Disease ridden trees resulting in the mass removal of old, well-established trees decimating municipal urban forests; and

Whereas Dutch Elm Disease has been present in Saskatchewan since the early 1980’s and has been spread from east to west. Dutch Elm Disease is endemic across most of Southern Saskatchewan, with the current hot zones including the Carrot River area, South Saskatchewan River, Souris River, and Assiniboine and Qu’Appelle River Watersheds; and

Whereas Dutch Elm Disease is a fungus that grows in the tissues of elm trees blocking the flow of water and photosynthate, causing death of the tree in a year or less. The disease is spread from tree to tree by elm bark beetles moving the fungus during flights, from illegal elm firewood movement, and by using unsterilized pruning tools; and

Whereas the best way to manage Dutch Elm Disease spread in the province and within individual communities includes public education and engagement, completion of Dutch Elm Disease surveys, rapid removal and disposal of all Dutch Elm Disease infected elm trees, enforcement of elm wood violations, appointing a Dutch Elm Disease Municipal Inspector to enforce Dutch Elm Disease regulations, having a designated elm wood disposal site in the municipality, preventative anti-fungal tree injections, and the completion of a municipal tree inventory outlining elm tree locations; and

Whereas the costs of Dutch Elm Disease programs ranges in the tens, if not hundreds of thousands of dollars depending on the size of the community and how many elm trees are present. Many small communities are facing and have faced large financial costs dealing with the management of the disease in their urban forest; and

Whereas until 2010, the Government of Saskatchewan used to have a much more comprehensive Dutch Elm Disease management program in place for the province which included a cost share agreement with 44 different communities which bolstered local monitoring and management programs across the province. Since the program was reduced in 2010, the spread of the disease has increased and has become much more established in the South-Central region of the province; and

Whereas the benefits of elm trees, along with a robust urban forest, include mental health improvement, stress reduction when visiting and utilizing green spaces, water quality improvement, and reduction in the heat island effect, which reduces damage to pavement and lowers air conditioning dependence; and

Whereas Dutch Elm Disease will never be eradicated, but an increase in funding by all levels of government would allow for the enhancement of monitoring and management programs across the province. Very aggressive management programs are much more successful at reducing the spread of the disease in the communities.

Therefore be it resolved that SUMA advocate the Government of Saskatchewan to provide stable and ongoing funding towards education and prevention of Dutch Elm Disease, and for the removal of afflicted trees in Saskatchewan communities.

Acts affected: None

Dear Sean McKenzie:

Thank you for the opportunity to respond to the resolutions passed at the SUMA 120th Annual Convention.

The Town of Strasbourg has expressed concerns about insufficient funding to effectively manage the impact Dutch elm disease (DED) in the community. DED is significantly impacting elm trees not only in Strasbourg but also in many other communities across Saskatchewan and Canada.

There is no additional funding available to support municipalities in delivering DED management in their jurisdiction. Since 2010, the Ministry of Environment has endorsed a shared-responsibility model for DED management. Under this approach, communities are encouraged to manage DED within their jurisdictions, while the ministry focuses on preventing the disease from spreading into communities from external sources. Communities are responsible for conducting DED management within their jurisdiction.

The ministry will continue to provide support through maintaining regulatory controls, laboratory diagnostic services, communications, and scientific expertise and extension services to educate for the prevention and management of DED. Municipalities are encouraged to conduct surveillance and removal activities and appoint a Municipal Inspector to enforce regulations in their community.

If you have questions on the ministry's DED program, please contact our Insect and Disease Expert and Forest Health program lead Dr. Rory McIntosh at 306 960-3169 or by email at rory.mcintosh@gov.sk.ca.

Sincerely,

Travis Keisig

Minister of Environment