Posted by Tom Green on March 4, 2008, 8:22 am, in reply to "Illinois Tree Licensing Act Discussion"
72.135.217.208
Bomb Shell!
How long ago was I talking about reinstating the Tree Expert Act (TEA)? I know I talked about it at the Past Presidents meeting at the 06 Annual Meeting. There seemed to be interest at that time but since I couldn't attend the 07 meeting I haven't heard much. I did discuss it after our 06 meeting with my elected representative, Mr. Rich Myers. He said he would run it past his colleagues, especially those in the area with EAB.
I have always felt that the best way for EAB to get from you to me is via firewood. At 1/2 mile per year it will take it 400 years to fly to Macomb. Who generates and handles the most firewood? We do. The State knows all the firewood vendors, something they learned early on before we had EAB (at least before it was confirmed). Yet the State has no idea who is cutting down dead ash trees and where the wood is being taken. Today, in Macomb, a dead ash tree could be cut down without any inspection and it parts could be taken to any other place in this state without an inspection. There are no commercial arborists in Macomb. So a tree removal will be done by someone hired from outside the town and the tree will likely be taken (and dumped) in someone else's community. I think the reinstated TEA will help upgrade our profession and help the State gain some control on wood movement.
OUT OF THE CLEAR BLUE SKY
Late on 14 Feb Mr. Myers called my office phone and left a message he was introducing the TEA on the 15th in Springfield. I heard this message on the morning of the 15th and was unable to reach Mr. Myers. On Tuesday (19th) I obtained a copy of HB5775 Tree Expert Act as it was introduced. He said changes can be made later. I have attached this as a PDF file (26 pages) or you can go to the following web site and pull up a printable version of the bill. Overall, I think it is fairly good and similar to the old TEA. There are places I think need modification. But I want ALL out there to look at the TEA. I want your feedback. There may be those who will reject it totally; others who want it reinstated but with corrections. Let me know if you want it back or not. Let me know what changes you wish to see. I will only comment on one right now.
On page 3, line 8 it states that applicants have 6 months to meet the criteria for licensing. Since there are more "arborists" in this state who are not certified than those who are this will cause a rush (6 months) for them to become certified. Only 1 person for a company needs to be certified. There will be an opportunity for the IAA to assist in training for certification. But 6 months is too short of a time for it to all happen. I would like to see 12- 24 months period for this to happen; with no Grandfather clauses. If you are certified and meet the other criteria, you won't have any problems. If you are not certified you must take the ISA test (and pass it) in this 12-24 month period. At least attempt to take the test in 12 months and if not passing it, get up to 12 more months to do so. I have some issues with other parts of it but I want the membership to respond. It has been introduced. Passage will need the backing and support of our organization. I am sorry that I didn't get any more notice about this that what I have stated. Send me your email comments; I will share them with April for all to see.
Tom Green
HB5775
http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/billstatus.asp?DocNum=5775&GAID=9&GA=95&DocTypeID=HB&LegID=37432&SessionID=51
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