The emerald ash borer won’t appreciate it.

Bluffton will receive 40 non-host species emerald ash borer (EAB) replacement trees if a U.S. Forestry grant gets a green light.  The Village of Ottawa will receive 1,348 trees through the grant.

The Blanchard River Watershed partnership (BRWP) is applying for the grant and the banks of the Little Riley and Riley Creek will be benefactors locally.

Should the grant be approved the trees planting will be arranged with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Urban Forester.

Bluffton’s tree commission will oversee planting locations. According to BRWP:
“Planting will improve water quality by absorbing storm water runoffs along streets and floodplains and by reducing nutrient loadings into nearby drains.”

The Ohio EPA and ODNR approved a Watershed Action Plan for Riley Creek watershed in October 2012. That plan is linked to the 2010 Ohio’s Forest Resource Strategy Plan.

Should the grant be approved, tree planting could take place in October. Key partners in the grant are BRWP, Village of Bluffton, Village of Ottawa and Bluffton University. The Village of Bluffton is a financial supporter of the BRWP.