Japanese Black Pines Targeted to Fall, Borough Introduces $18.2 Million Budget

STONE HARBOR – Is the Japanese black pine so invasive and dangerous a species of tree that it merits a preemptive strike? One would be left with that impression after attending the Stone Harbor Borough Council meeting March 9. 
In a presentation by a consultant for the Lomax Consulting Group, council heard of a proposal to make a “preemptive” strike against the Japanese black pines in the dunes in the area of 115th to 118th streets.
The tree was characterized as an invasive non-native species that grows “too well” in the dune environment and whose needles produce a fire hazard. The tree was also said to be an attractive home for beetle species that would quickly kill the tree leaving behind a dead safety hazard, thus the need for preemptive action.
Council heard a plan that called for the removal of 37 trees, replanting with native species and an irrigation program for the first two to three years to support early growth of the new plantings. The cost? Nothing.
Part of the unusual presentation was the constant reference to a public/private partnership in which two or three oceanfront homeowners would cover the costs associated with the project.
The public part of the project appears to be getting council to approve since the trees to be removed are largely on borough land.
Council member Joan Kramar asked twice for the consulting group to confirm that it proposed taking down 37 “healthy trees.”
She also noted that the borough had its experts check the trees and found no traces of beetle infestation.
In neighboring Avalon last year, a group of tree advocates fought the borough’s project to remove Japanese black pines. The borough said it was responding to a beetle infestation and produced evidence to support that position. 
Those opposed to that project claimed that the effort was more about ocean views for oceanfront homes than anything else. They further argued that the evidence for beetle infestation was not definitive.
Avalon conducted an extensive review of its position and even passed a resolution that outlined its evidence and its process of investigation before proceeding with the removal of the trees.
While there was still not agreement about the need for the removal, there was an attempt by the borough to present evidence of the threat it sought to neutralize.
In Stone Harbor, no such evidence was offered because the project is considered preemptive or proactive. No argument was made that the impacted trees are anything but healthy and beetle-free. 
The oceanfront homeowners are apparently sparing the borough the expense of dealing with the trees at some later point.
Other than Kramar’s questions, there did not appear to be any opposition or skepticism among the council.
No formal action was taken. A memorandum of agreement would need to be drafted and accepted by the borough. Following that, a resolution would be needed at a future council meeting to have the borough give its permission for the work in the dunes.
Budget Introduced
The borough formally introduced its $18,150,787 operating budget for 2017 along with a $3,928,363 Water and Sewer Utility budget. The budget calls for $263,000 more in local tax revenue which Mayor Judith Davies-Dunhour said would necessitate a half-cent increase in the tax rate. The local purpose tax rate will move from .239 to .245 in 2017.
Borough Administrator Jill Gougher noted that the increase was a response to growth in the debt servicing expenses that largely resulted from the costs associated with the back bay dredging project and the unexpected need to pay $1.5 million as a contribution to the on-going beach replenishment.
The borough’s contribution for beach fill increased when U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service invoked a previously unused statute that prohibited federal monies from covering the costs of removing sand from a borrow area in Hereford Inlet.
Borough and state funds were used.
Gougher said that a complete copy of the budget, including a five-year capital budget, is available on the borough website. A public presentation of the budget was promised later in the month. Gougher said that the public hearing and presentation of the budget for adoption would occur April 18.
To contact Vince Conti, email vconti@cmcherald.com.