Posted 1/18/01 State funding for oak wilt control is kaput; officials seek citizen input Jan. 18 During the past eight years, more than 350 oak wilt infection centers have been controlled in Isanti and Chisago County through the cooperative partnership of federal, state, county, township and cities. More than 40 percent of all known oak wilt infections centers have been controlled in these two counties, according to Rodney Elmstrand, Extension Educator in Chisago County. But now the eight-year-old oak wilt control program is at a major crossroads. The funding from state sources for oak wilt control has ended. The public is invited to provide input and suggestions for the future direction of oak wilt control and prevention. The public forum will be held Thursday evening, Jan. 18 from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Lent Township Hall located one mile north east of Stacy. Take County Road 30 north, then east 1.5 miles on Hemingway avenue. During the first half of the community forum, Olin Phillips, DNR forest protection specialist, will overview our funding history and partnerships. Jana Albers, DNR forest health specialist, will discuss past accomplishments, while giving us a picture of what oak wilt might have done if it had been left unmanaged or goes unmanaged in the future. During the last half of the community forum, Rodney Elmstrand, Extension Educator will seek participant input and discussion on future funding alternatives and ways to prevent oak wilt from spreading further. Other special guests will include Steve Nelson, Isanti and Chisago County Oak Wilt Forester and Tom Delaney, Chisago County commissioner. Citizen participation is needed to help develop a road map for oak wilt control and prevention. For more information, comments, or other questions, call (651) 674-4417 or 1-888-234-1229. Online, you may choose to send email to: elmst002@umn.edu ©Post Review