FORT PIERRE, S.D. (KCCR) – The City of Fort Pierre is already formulating plans on dealing with the Emerald Ash Borer. The Asian inset, which is fatal to all true ash tree types, was found in Sioux Falls last spring. Ron Schreiner with the Pierre Arbor Board was recently at an Ash Borer presentation and discussed the pest with the Fort Pierre City Council Tuesday night.

Schreiner suggested action begin sooner than later.

Schreiner says Fort Pierre would need to inventory ash trees on public property, and South Dakota State University has some ways they can help.

Schreiner says a federal grant program he’s looked into could help cover 50-percent of the intern’s pay. Volunteers will also be needed to help with the public inventory. The City of Fort Pierre is looking into establishing its own Arbor Board, separate from the Pierre Arbor Board that currently gives guidance to Fort Pierre on tree issues.

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