Apr 28, 2006- Kaptur Brings USDA to Northern Ohio Fight Against Emerald Ash Borer
Kaptur was joined by the USDA Undersecretary for Natural Resources andEnvironment Mark Rey, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, the ExtensionService of Ohio State University, several area landscapers and nurseryoperators, and school children to bring community awareness to private home andland owners. She urged scout troops, school groups, the businesscommunity, public organizations, and religious groups to undertake treeplanting this spring to replace what is being destroyed by Emerald Ash Borer infestation.
Kaptur, Undersecretary Rey and Sister Jeremiasplanted an American Chestnut tree in celebration of Arbor Day. TheSisters of St. Francis have agreed to distribute 700 trees to the public in aneffort to reforest our area. The trees were donated by the OhioDepartment of Natural Resources.
"I hope that Undersecretary Rey will come away from his visit with a betterappreciation for the challenges we face, the needs we have, and with thecertainty that future USDA resources would be well spent here in northernOhio," said Kaptur. "We are hopeful that this campus will be used as ademonstration site for controlling this pest. The infestation of theEmerald Ash Borer pest is a public safety issue. Once the tree has beeninfected the tree rapidly deteriorates and can cause damage to homes, propertyor even human life. We are asking homeowners on this Arbor Day to inspecttheir lands, discover the characteristics of ash trees and the signs ofinfected trees."
The Undersecretary's visit follows on a meeting Congresswoman Kaptur hostedwith top USDA officials in Washington,including the U.S. Forest Service, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service,and the Natural Resources Conservation Service. Kaptur, a member of theHouse Appropriations Agriculture Subcommittee has requested additionalemergency dollars to assist with the effective control and containment of theEmerald Ash Borer.
Nearly $88 million has been spent by USDA alone to control this bug whichfirst inflicted Michigan,and has now spread primarily to Ohioand Indiana. Thismoney includes $7.5 million of emergency funding that the AppropriationsCommittee on which Kaptur serves has been told has been approved, but finalallocation decisions are yet to be made by the Department. USDA officialshad originally estimated that the total cost of control would be $250million.
"We are grateful to Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur for her tenacity inhelping the Sisters of St. Francis keep their homestead as a recognizedforest," said Sister Jeremias Stinson, Director of Woodlands and Shrine,Sisters of St. Francis.
"The Sisters of St. Francis are fine stewards of the earth," said Kaptur. "As a part of their mission and ministry, the Sisters of St. Francis sharetheir lives and resources with all God's people. On this Arbor Day, weplant hope. Our hope focuses on those who will reside in our area inthe future so they may continue to enjoy our rich lands, beautiful trees on theemerald necklace that encircles Lake Erie," concluded Kaptur.
Individuals needing information on removing or treating Ash trees maycontact the Ohio State Extension Office in Lucas Countyat 419-578-6783. To secure a tree, please contact Sister Jeremias Stinsonat 419-824-3623. The Congresswoman also encouraged the elderly ordisabled who may need assistance in planting trees to call Sandy Garrison atthe Maumee Valley Girl Scout Council at 419-243-8216.
For more information, visit https://www.emeraldashborer.info/