SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO.com) -- There are no hard numbers yet on what it will cost the city of Sioux Falls to protect the ash trees the city owns from the Emerald Ash Borer.
"We do know that other large cities have spend millions responding to EAB." City Parks Director Don Kearney tells KELO.com News.
Kearney says that while treatment will be part of the plan, treatment of large stands of ash trees is not practical.
"We are currently in the 2019 budget development process and we will know more in the coming weeks as we prepare the budget for city council consideration.
There are over 85,000 ash trees in Sioux Falls. Private owners have been advised to get their trees treated.
The EAB infestation in Sioux Falls is the first in South Dakota, as the mean green tree killer slowly but steadily moves west.