LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — Lawrence's Parks and Recreation Department is seeking about $240,000 to deal with beetles that are expected to kill the city's ash trees over the next decade. The Parks and Recreation Department will take its request for additional funding to fight an infestation of the emerald ash borer to the City Commission on Tuesday. It's seeking $238,540 to hire three full-time forestry staff and pay for public outreach about the infestation. The Lawrence Journal-World reports that the city has about 3,200 ash trees. The emerald ash borer, which has been in Kansas for a few years, was confirmed in Douglas County last year. The pests feed on ash trees. If the funds are approved, crews would soon start treating some ash trees on public land and removing and replacing others.
Lawrence Dealing with Emerald Ash Borer Infestation
