Western New York Emerald Ash Borer Task Force (WEABTF)
E&E Corporate HQ - Lancaster
02-07-12 Meeting Notes by P. Fuhrmann
The 02-07 meeting represented WEABTF second meeting. Western New York
Partnership for Regional Invasive Species Management (WNY PRISM) will facilitate
meetings in support of the state and federal EAB efforts. NYS PRISM program is
administered by the NYSDEC Office of Invasive Species Coordination (OISC) and the
NYS Invasive Species Council. The OISC coordinates NYS resources to facilitate the
control and management of all taxa of invasive species in NYS. The following bullet
points represent the interest of the WNY PRISM presented at the initial WEABTF
meeting on 12-15-11.
 Solidify commitment of key stakeholders while maintaining open dialogue and
opportunities for new participants within the eight county region of WNY,
 Establish realistic goals to assist public and private landowner’s options for EAB
response and community preparedness,
 Provide a “locally led response” and support to address specific, regional needs
that are consistent with state and federal programs,
 Facilitate adoption of an adaptive management approach to guide the WEABTF
to address (local and regional) changing conditions and uncertainties and
 Facilitate collaboration and cooperation amongst stakeholders to effectively
utilize local, state and federal resources.
02-07-12 Meeting Attendees
Dave Paradowski
NYSDEC Region 9
Patrick Marren
NYSDEC Region 9
Shane Daley
Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy
Arthur Traver
WENDEL – City of Buffalo
Terry McCracken
Town Of Lancaster
Tom Hersey
Erie County
Bob Smith
WNY Nursery and landscape Association
Sharon Bachman
CCE-Erie County
Dave Tackley
NYS DOT Region 5
Samuel Berg
Haskell Tree Service
Mark Whitmore
Cornell University (telephone)
Mary Underhill
Livingston Co. Planning Dept. (telephone)
Kelly Vergien
E&E
Paul Fuhrmann
E&E
Nathan Wright
National Grid
Evyn Costanzo
NYS OPRHP
Meg Janis
NYS OPRHP
Dave Tackley
NYSDOT Reg. 5
Jack Schifferli
Town of Tonawanda
David Dinatale
Town of Tonawanda
John Sander
E&E
Margo Bowerman
Robert Cole
Maria Moskalenko
Will Elliot
Andrew Rabb
Pamela Hughes
CCE Orleans Co.
NYSDEC
NYSDEC
Buffalo News
City of Buffalo
Sierra Club Niagara
A DRAFT WEABTF “Identity/Mission statement” was modified based on discussion
to include municipal and private citizens as follows:
The WEABTF is a volunteer organization of forestry professionals, scientists, natural
resource managers, local officials and private citizens. WEABTF has organized to
facilitate a science based response to the economic, ecological and public safety
impacts of EAB within the forests and communities of the eight county region of
western New York.
Meeting Discussion (these are not “minutes” but are representative of talking points)
 Future meeting notices will be circulated to key stakeholders from contact lists
obtained from previous regional EAB meetings conducted by DEC and WNY
PRISM and interested parties.
 WEABTF to be structured efficiently without burden of organizational rules of
order (at this time) to facilitate flexibility in discussions.
 WEABTF is envisioned to be an inclusive group, open to participation by
interested parties within and outside the region. It was agreed that establishing an
eight county WEABTF consistent with WNYPRISM eight county organization is
not feasible at this time. The WEABTF will proceed with organization in Erie
County, given Tier II EAB occurrence in the county. However, a network will be
established to include and solicit participation from others in the region including
Tuscarora, Seneca and Tonawanda band of Seneca nations.
 Feel free to circulate this material to interested parties. Respond to all when
appropriate so this group can effectively work from your input. I will collect any
individual responses and circulate that information as appropriate.
 WNY PRISM resources will be used, to the best of its ability, to facilitate and
participate in the development and coordination of WEABTF information via the
NYS Invasive Species clearinghouse site http://www.nyis.info/ . Check this site
frequently for new EAB content and updates. WEABTF should draft some
content for this site.
 CCE Erie County and Erie County Department of Environment and Planning,
DEC Region 9, Western NY Nursery and Landscape Association and other
WEABTF members have donated time and services to better coordinate this effort
 EAB Education and Outreach in WNY is needed but can’t be accomplished
entirely by CCE Erie County due to limited physical and budget resources.
WEABTF strategic efforts to engage public and privates sectors is critical.
 EAB session for private landowners is being developed within the July 2012 NYS
Re-Leaf Conference in Buffalo.
 EAB confirmed in the Town of Lewiston, Niagara County













Although some municipalities are engaged and actively planning for EAB
response and impacts, many are not. This is due in part to actual or perceived
threat based on ash density in specific communities. Niagara County has very
high % ash in urban and non urban forests. City of Buffalo (ROWs) low
density. Some communities have urban street tree surveys completed but private
land and parks may not be included. East Aurora has a street tree survey but EAB
preparedness in unknown.
Mark Whitmore identifying woodpecker foraging pattern on ash trees as viable
indicator as well as facilitating CCE education/outreach, DEC regional efforts,
and more.
Birding community, outdoors clubs, hiking groups are beginning to be engaged to
specifically look for evidence of woodpecker foraging in ash trees. Presentations
are being coordinated with Buffalo Ornithological Society, Buffalo Audubon,
Niagara ADK as well as coordination with Cornell lab of Ornithology to develop
outreach network and appropriate contacts.
WEABTF survey for municipalities has been drafted by Dave Paradowski DEC
Region 9. John Sander offered to edit and return to for circulation.
Continuing gaps in EAB awareness include: Ash Tree ID, availability of existing
urban tree survey data, EAB impacts, State and federal programs, etc.
A WEABTF point of contact(s) (POC) is needed for circulation to general public
that is representative of available technical and informational resources.
Town of Tonawanda - Jack Schifferli noted EAB outreach efforts, essentially a
model for other communities. Departments are coordinated and communicate to
Jack re: EAB indicators, tree removals by homeowners and treatment options.
Care is needed not duplicate existing, successful efforts and organizational
strategy.
Continual outreach need to include other counties and municipalities based on
desire to participate.
Some funding available for PRISM to dedicate to EAB ed and awareness.
Continue collaboration with CCE to ID funding and program opportunities
Tub Grinder needed for disposal will become critical as EAB spreads.
WEABTF needs an Action Plan to best utilize TF members and address needs of
public and private sectors
John Sander mentioned value of web based connection to direct public land users
to invasive species issues and ground-truthing opportunities, especially EAB and
other forest insect pests
Sierra Club newsletter was identified as good venue for outreach and information
dissemination. EAB authority needed to compose article(s)
Action Items (most under development, being considered or require further
discussion)

Continue Identification local and regional resources for EAB outreach, wood
product use (lumber, fuel and chips), disposal sites,








Research existing municipal EAB control and management plans and lesson’s
learned from their authors (Kelly V./Paul F.)
Survey county and municipal governments for existing preparedness capacity,
resources and needs. Prepare a survey and circulation list with known contacts.
(all, Bob S. has contacts)
Develop a database of funding sources for private and public sector stakeholders
with opportunities for partnering amongst municipalities (WNY PRISM)
Survey potential human resources in both citizen science and professional
services from secondary education to universities. Identify professional services
required to address all stages of EAB impacts without advocating specific firms.
Integrate iMapInvasives program into EAB mapping and citizen science. Free
ImapInvasives Training scheduled for June 11th at E&E Annex
Define WEABTF role in private landowner engagement and other tasks to
support state and federal programs and limited resources. (all)
Develop references for control and management methods and treatment
techniques. This group represents expertise to refer specific sources of technical
information to stakeholders that are both science based and compliant with
regulations.
NYS Annual ReLeaf Conference July 19-21 2012 is venue for EAB workshop for
private landowners. Some agreement that municipalities have access to resources
and technical expertise. Private landowners are essential unaware of potential
liability and treatment options.
A special thanks to Mark Whitmore, Sharon Bachman, ECDEP and NYSDEC Region 9
staff for support in moving the WEABTF forward.