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Evansville continues ice-storm debris cleanup; tree plantings on some grants put on hold, Arbor Day set for April 12
Summary
City staff reported nearly 350 debris reports after a Jan. 5 ice storm and thanked volunteer groups for cleanup help. State guidance has put grant-funded plantings on hold until fall; the city still plans an Arbor Day tree giveaway April 12.
City staff told the City of Evans Military Advisory Board on Feb. 6 that crews are still cleaning up debris from a Jan. 5 ice storm and that nearly 350 separate debris locations have been reported so far.
“[T]here were just under 350 locations where debris has been called in for. I think it's like 348,” said Sean (staff member), who reported the tally and described continuing pickups and a public drop-off site that has since closed. He said volunteer groups coordinated through Cliff Weaver at the Vandiver County Emergency Management Agency, state corrections crews, the state Department of Natural Resources, and a Rubicon volunteer group helped clear streets and private properties.
Sean said the city issued one citation to an unlicensed tree company and expects additional late reports of downed trees and debris to surface in the coming weeks. He said most of the most-damaged trees had preexisting weaknesses and that pines, balsam (?) species, river birch and elm were among the hardest hit because their branch surfaces allowed more ice accumulation.
On tree-planting plans, staff reported guidance from the state urban forester, Jacob Roos, advising caution: because of federal grant uncertainty and a recent change in federal guidance, “we have to hold off on tree plantings until this fall” for projects funded by federal grants. The board clarified that the hold does not include non‑grant events, and staff said Arbor Day tree giveaway plans remain scheduled for April 12 at Westman Park, running from 9 a.m. until trees are distributed.
Staff thanked CenterPoint and local partners for help with the Arbor Day event and noted Julie Welsh of KAB is retiring; she has been assisting coordination. Staff also said an Emerald Ash Borer committee will reconvene under Becky Zock, who has replaced Chris Cook as director of cemeteries, and hoped for an update at the next meeting.
The board was urged to expect more debris reports and to coordinate planting plans with the parks department and state urban forester once the funding picture clears.
